Archive

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Students 'pressured' to sign up for homes months in advance

STUDENTS in Oxford are signing expensive leases almost a year early to secure their homes because of pressure from landlords and letting agents, it was claimed last night. About 1,500 students at both universities have signed a petition calling

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Radcliffe Loses His Magic Touch

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (12A). Horror/Thriller. Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Liz White, Shaun Dooley, Mary Stockley, Sophie Stuckey, Mischa Handley, Roger Allam. Director: James Watkins. Less is certainly more in

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Puppet Mastery

THE MUPPETS (U). Family/Comedy/Musical. Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Alan Arkin, Rashida Jones and the voices of Peter Linz, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz. Director: James Bobin. For more than 35 years, Kermit

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School Role

Talented young actress Rosie Wyatt tells KATHERINE MACALISTER about her latest part in the powerful play Mogadishu. Rosie Wyatt is used to courting controversy. The Banbury lass’s last play Bunny, a one-woman show, cast her as an 18

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Big News

As if a fascinating career in international journalism wasn’t enough, Smoke Feathers frontman Matt Falloon talks to TIM HUGHES about his life-long devotion to music. EVERY band worth their salt has lurid stories to tell about life on the

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Turkish Delights

The lost music of the Ottoman Empire is uplifting and soulful, and Ian Nagoski tells Tim Hughes it deserves a comeback. IAN Nagoski is a man possessed of missionary zeal. But this energetic American is not fired up by politics or religion

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Anxious wait over for TV contestants

THE waiting was finally over for five Oxfordshire contestants who appeared on reality TV show Come Dine With Me. The five shows featuring Oxfordshire residents began screening on Channel Four on Monday and the final two episodes will go out tonight and

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Tub Thumping

Delicious food, luxurious accommodation and crinkly fingers after soaking in the bath-from-heaven add up to the perfect mini break for KATHERINE MACALISTER. Call off the search party, recall the dogs and breathe a huge sigh of relief. The

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Loafing About

Tom and Henry Herbert, The Fabulous Baker Brothers, are so busy it’s almost impossible to pin them down. But I finally managed to nab them on a layby on the side of the M4. Oh the glamour. Having already been up with the larks baking, before setting off

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Ex-military staff ‘are just the job’

EMPLOYERS recruiting new staff in Oxfordshire are being urged to consider those leaving the armed forces. Up to 250 personnel will leave the forces in the county this year. And similar numbers are expected in future years as the impact of defence cuts

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Ken Goff: Bowls man got estate moving

FORMER Botley resident and keen bowls man Ken Goff has died aged 89. Mr Goff, right, passed away last Friday at Westbury Grange Care Home in Newport Pagnell, after a chest infection. He and his wife Doris moved to Botley in 1955. Through his work as

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Len Berry: Exuberant Morris mentor

TRIBUTES have been paid to folk musician and co-founder of the Kirtlington Morris group Len Berry, who has died aged 82. Mr Berry, right, worked in the motor industry, including the former Morris Motors exhaust factory in Eynsham. He most recently lived

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Frank Asbury: Cherished GP made a mark

ONE of Didcot’s best known GPs, Dr Frank Asbury, who served patients for more than 30 years, has died aged 85. Dr Asbury was born in London in 1926 and trained as a doctor at The Royal London Hospital. He came to Didcot in 1956, to take over a small

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Taxing times

No one should doubt that Oxford City Council is serious in its determination to get to grips with Oxford’s housing shortage, with the city’s population set to go on growing. But its latest initiative to introduce a levy on student accommodation to help

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Future funds

Monday’s 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne was used as the launch pad for a truly local campaign to raise up to £20m. The money, which will go into a Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire, will be used to support local services and voluntary

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The school of hard knocks

For 12 years, Vivienne Franzmann worked as a drama teacher in several North London comprehensive schools. In 2008 she wrote a play — based on a true story — that premiered in Manchester last year and then transferred to the Lyric, Hammersmith; she

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Simon Munnery: The North Wall

When comedian Simon Munnery last passed in October 2010 as warm-up to Stewart Lee at the Regal in Cowley Road, writes Nick Utechin. On Saturday, he has his own space at North Wall in the intriguing Hats Off To The 101ers. Intriguing only to those who

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Brothers rise to the occasion

Tom and Henry Herbert, The Fabulous Baker Brothers, are so busy it’s almost impossible to pin them down. But I finally managed to nab them on a layby on the side of the M4. Oh the glamour. Having been up with the larks baking, before setting

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THE DISABLED SPACE: Snow can leave us in wilderness

Snow. I used to love it. In fact I still do, but despite its brilliant-white colour I have a dark relationship with it. This past weekend I enjoyed watching the snow fall and as a keen photographer I was dying to get out and capture the beauty

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Local shares (PM)

AEA Technology 0.31 BMW 5964 Electrocomponents 233.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 66.5 Oxford Biomedica 3.35 Oxford Catalysts 47 Oxford Instruments 1044 Reed Elsevier 529.25 RM 81.5 RPS Group 221.7 Courtesy of Redmayne

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Daughters brand work on parents' grave 'an insult'

TWO grieving daughters have told of their distress after finding dirt and clay piled on their parents’ grave. Wendy Broad and Patsy Brinkley have been tending the memorial in Harwell every week for more than 16 years. But last month

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Council wants to broadcast meetings

RESIDENTS of Abingdon could soon be catching up with the drama of the town council in bed, in the car or even out on a jog by the river. The Liberal Democrat opposition group wants the council to record meetings in future and make them available online

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Shoppers in running for loyalty card bonus

Shoppers who hold a Wantage and Grove Loyalty Card will be entered into a prize draw once the 1,000th £2 card is sold. The winner of the draw will get £100 in shopping vouchers to spend in any of the participating 60 businesses. Linda Hatter, chairman

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CRICKET: Horspath start new Cherwell campaign at Tew

Horspath will open their bid to bounce straight back to the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League with a trip to Great & Little Tew when the Cherwell League gets under way on Saturday, May 12. Oxford Downs, who finished runners-up to Shipton-under-Wychwood

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Build a team with rhythm

A group of teenage entrepreneurs are hoping their fledgling business hits a high note. Opus, a Young Enterprise company based at Oxford High School, in Belbroughton Road, offers a range of programmes designed to give musical inspiration to groups in

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No tax charge

Cherwell District Council hopes not to increase its portion of the council tax bill for the third year running. Proposals were agreed by the council’s executive on Monday to level its share at £123.50, for band D properties. The budget will go to the

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Tram possibility

Oxfordshire County Council has indicated it will carry out a feasibility study of a rapid transit light railway linking Cowley, Littlemore and the John Radcliffe Hospital to Redbridge or Oxford station “in the longer term”. The Oxford Eastern Arc transit

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School increase approval likely

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet is likely to approve the expansion of Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys as a result of rising demand for school places in the city. Under the proposals, the school would take in 60 pupils a year across

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Haunting exhibition

THE work of contemporary Oxford artist William Cotterill is now on show at Art Jericho. The 27-year-old captures rural and urban scenes from around the city and county, from the Carmelite monastery at Boars Hill, to warehouses along the Oxford Canal,

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BOWLS: Hawes in early exit

OXFORD & District’s Katherine Hawes fell at the first hurdle in the national finals of the English Indoor Bowling Association’s Champion of Champions competition at Warner Lakeside, Hayling Island. Hawes put up a spirited effort before losing 21-18 to

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BAR BILLIARDS: Vikings power clear at top

VIKINGS A are three points clear at the top of the Premier Section in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League, writes PETE EWINS. They took full advantage of Kennington’s free week by winning 4-1 away to Section 1 side Masons B, despite going behind when

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GOLF: Witney's success

WITNEY Lakes have become one of the the first clubs in the country to boast two level-five coaches. John Cook and his son, Matthew, achieved the academic standard through examinations at Derby University. RESULTS NORTH OXFORD Winter Challenge final

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Driver hurt

A driver had to be cut out of her car after crashing off the M40 between Wendlebury and Wheatley at about noon yesterday. The driver was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with minor injuries.

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New twist in £1m property dispute

THE BATTLE for ownership of a £1m Oxford house took a further twist yesterday as the judge questioned the appearance of an email address on an electricity bill purporting to be from 1983. Abbey Folami says he bought the six-bedroom North Oxford property

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AUNT SALLY: Lyon hits sweet 16

ANCHOR man Neil Lyon hit a six in his 16 dolls in Misfits’ 6-0 defeat of the Star in the Yarnton RBL League. Phil Adams kicked off his 15-doll haul with a six as Cricketers whitewashed Alders Oldies 6-0 in the Gladiator Friday League. RESULTS Banbury

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ATHLETICS: Finch bags pb trio

RADLEY’S Joseph Finch set three personal bests in the London Under 15-17 Indoor Games at Lee Valley. Under 17 Finch clocked 7.58secs in the 60 metres, en route to finishing second in the Section 6 final, leapt 5.53m in the long jump and 11.20 in the

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Police swoop in cannabis raid

Police have seized more than 25 cannabis plants and a quantity of Class A drugs after raiding a cannabis factory in Banbury. As part of Operation Dragnet, the Cherwell proactive team searched a building off Oxford Road, Bodicote, on Tuesday, after officers

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Oxford United striker Jon-Paul Pittman ruled out for four weeks

Oxford United striker Jon-Paul Pittman will be out of action for four weeks with a hamstring injury. The news comes as a hammer blow for the U's, who in the past week have seen Alfie Potter ruled out for the season with a broken ankle, and fellow striker

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ATHLETICS: Hannah ready to step up

Oxford City star Hannah England says going the extra mile in Sheffield on Sunday, February 12 will boost her London 2012 preparations. The world championship 1,500m silver medallist is competing over the longer 3,000m distance at the Aviva Indoor UK

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Open verdict

Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner was unable to determine what killed a woman found dead in her Upper High Street home. An inquest yesterday heard Susannah Bone, 45, had a history of suicide attempts. However, a pathologist was also unable to arrive

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Call to move train station to Oxpens

OXFORD Civic Society says Oxford station should be moved to Oxpens as the heart of a new city transport hub. The society believes the county and city councils and the rail companies should seize “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to transform the city

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COMMENT: Keep dreaming

It’s a nice idea, no question of that. But moving Oxford train station to Oxpens, as suggested by Oxford Civic Society, looks likely to cost too much and cause too much disruption. It is, however, reassuring that the society continues to champion

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Academic won't oppose honour to Maggie

AN ACADEMIC who led the fight against Oxford giving Baroness Margaret Thatcher an honorary degree in the 1980s last night said he wouldn’t be opposing Wafic Said’s plan to name a new building in honour of the former premier. Mr Said hopes

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Car in ditch

Two people were taken to hospital as a precaution after they crashed into a ditch near West Oxfordshire Sailing Club. The Vauxhall Corsa crashed at about 4pm on the B4449 Stanton Harcourt Road.

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Be prepared to retune your TV

Homes in South Oxfordshire could experience TV signal problems as part of the digital switchover. People with analogue TVs will lose BBC Two, and those with Freeview digital equipment will have to re-tune their boxes over the next two weeks. Viewers

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Flamboyant flamenco will spice up festival

AN OXFORD audience is to experience the passion of flamenco dancing in an intimate performance at the Pegasus Theatre. Flamenco Intimo, which has now sold out, will be performed at the venue in Magdalen Road as part of the Dancin’ Oxford festival

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BOWLS: Oxon go roaring on

OXFORDSHIRE’S efforts to battle their way through the snow for the English Short Mat Bowling Association’s Inter-County Championship Premier Knockout preliminary round tie against West Sussex at Wey Valley, Guildford, were rewarded with a 22-18 victory

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ATHLETICS: Naylor and Briscoe lead Oxon bid

STEVE Naylor and Frances Briscoe head up Oxfordshire’s teams chosen for the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham, on March 10. Oxon have nine runners in the senior men’s and women’s races, with the top six finishers

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Swindon striker Kerrouche joins Oxford United on loan

Oxford United have today signed Swindon Town striker Mehdi Kerrouche. The Algerian has fallen out of favour with Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio and will join the U's on a month's loan. He will not, however, be allowed to play in the derby

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RUGBY LEAGUE: Griffin brothers out to make big impression

FORMER Oxford Cavaliers star Darrell Griffin hopes to have two brothers playing alongside him in Super League this season. The 30-year-old prop, who made his Leeds Rhinos debut on Friday, is an England international and a seasoned player in rugby league

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ATHLETICS: Fernandez is new men’s title favourite

OXFORD MAIL CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE ABINGDON Amblers had two men in the top three at Cirencester Park, but it was the absent Paul Fernandez who went top of the standings. Abingdon’s Oz Ellis and Les Newell finished second and third respectively, clocking

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ATHLETICS: Cornish on song

OXFORD MAIL CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE WHITE Horse Harriers’ Jonathan Cornish effectively sealed the under 20 men’s title after winning at Cirencester. Cornish clocked 34.06 for 19th place and has a 63-point lead over second-placed Dan Moseley

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Get a grip, Mr Cameron

I read that the suspected killer of a police officer’s parents – who hanged himself in prison – was an East European burglar in the UK without a passport. Get a grip, Mr Cameron, before this island sinks under the weight of illegal immigrants. DAVID

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School’s real record

IN A previous letter (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, December 23 last year), I pointed out that the ‘floor standard’ figures for Key Stage Two tests cited for St Nicholas’ Primary School, Old Marston, are wrong and it really must be the responsibility of Melinda

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Disgusted over station theft

I was disgusted to hear of the theft from the ambulance at the railway station (Tuesday’s Oxford Mail). You and your readers may well think that there would be a tiny amount of honour among thieves and that they would leave emergency service vehicles

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JOEL HAMMER IS LARGER THAN LIFE: Small victories make my day

I know I mustn’t take things so seriously. I know I have to take things less personally. I also know I can’t allow myself to respond before I’ve really thought about the consequences. All these things I know. None of these things I do. Those moments

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ATHLETICS: Ridley reigns in the snow

OXFORD MAIL CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE ELYSIA Ridley strengthed her ladies’ title hopes with victory in round four at Cirencester Park. The 25-year-old Witney Roadrunner tops the senior and overall ladies rankings with one round to go after excelling in

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Question of intelligence

I READ with interest your report ‘Students turning their back on Uni’ (Oxford Mail, January 31) and should not violently disagree with any of the proposed causes of this turn of events furnished by your expert interviewees, though the precise influence

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Spending cuts may cost us more in end

HAVING been well-briefed about, and having lived through and so far survived, the current economic climate for the past three to four years, I fully understand that councils have to balance their books. City council deputy leader Ed Turner’s letter

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THE INSIDER: A weekly update from the corridors of power

MRS Thatcher may leave her mark on Oxford University, 27 years after dons refused to award the former Prime Minister an honorary degree. Multi-millionaire donor Wafic Said, who has a huge country pile in Tusmore, near Bicester, has announced

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LIFE LESSONS: Always make your dreams into reality

WHAT I’M CALLED: Philip Guy Davis, aka Silverphil. MY AGE IN YEARS: Let’s just say I’m 50+ WHAT I DO: I’m a semi-retired tour arranger and music promoter. WHERE I LIVE: Walton Street, Oxford. I’ve lived in two houses on the street since

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Get out and go wild

For the last 12 months, the ‘office’ of PENNY SILVERWOOD has been the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s beautiful Warburg Nature reserve. Her latest project is in the reserve’s darkest place . . . The variety of wildlife at Warburg Nature Reserve

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Mini recall going 'smoothly'

THE recall of Mini Cooper S and John Cooper Works Minis built in Cowley between 2006 and 2011 is going “smoothly” according to parent company BMW. BMW spokesman Sarah Heaney said: “We have about 30,000 UK customers to contact. There has been

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Oxford United trip to Accrington in doubt

Oxford United’s trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday (Feb 11) is already in doubt. The pitch at the Crown Ground is rock hard at the moment, and unless temperatures are better than forecast, it looks as though the U’s could go another weekend

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Bullfighting author’s talk called off

A TALK tonight by Oxford bullfighter Alexander Fiske-Harrison has been cancelled. Mr Fiske-Harrison mounted a fierce attack on Blackwell’s for cancelling the event, rescheduled to today after the Broad Street bookshop postponed the original talk because

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Beauty queen finalist tells of bullying nightmare

FOR years other children taunted Danni Anns about her weight, calling her names in the playground and sending her insulting text messages. But the once-depressed schoolgirl, who overcame her own personal tragedies, has now had the last laugh

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COMMENT: Perfect response to bullies

Bullying. Even saying the word leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. But for some people, bullies can wreck lives. Thankfully, this is one of those stories where the bullied has bitten back. And how. Danni Anns of Sparsholt, near Wantage, has suffered

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Teenager took his own life

AN 18-year-old took his own life, a coroner ruled yesterday. Robert Ross Bush was found dead at his home in Great Rollright by his mother on August 23, 2011. Mr Ross Bush, who had a history of mental health problems, died because of asphyxiation, a

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Van failed to stop

A 40-YEAR-OLD suffered a broken arm and fractured ribs after he was hit by a van which failed to stop. The victim was discharged from Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital on Tuesday after the incident last Thursday at 6.30pm in Murcott Road, Arncott.

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Anger among traders as chain store is given lease on iconic city site

TRADERS and shoppers fear the arrival of a Cards Galore shop is the start of an influx of national chains which will increase rents and drive out independent stores from Oxford’s historic Covered Market. The former Palms delicatessen unit in the Oxford

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Critical distance

Sir – I agree that before criticising someone you should walk a mile in their shoes (Letters, February 2). After all, that means that when you criticise them, you’re a mile away from them, so they can’t hit back. Moreover, you’ve got their shoes. Jem

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Lack of will

Sir – It has been said that reinstating the Witney-Carterton-Oxford railway costs (Report, January 26) are prohibitive. So are the costs of not reinstating the line to Witney. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. All that is missing is the will! Glyn

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The Noughties by Ben Masters

The Noughties by Ben Masters (Hamish Hamilton, £12.99) Masters was 24 when his first novel became the subject of a bidding war between two publishers — something that most Oxford English graduates can only dream of. Were the publishers

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Air police search

Sir – We are trying to locate former American air policemen that were stationed at RAF Upper Heyford from 1958-1965. They were part of the 3918th APD. We know several of them returned to England to live after they were discharged, mostly living in the

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The Days of Our Vanity

Musician Richard Leigh Harris spent nearly 30 years in Oxford composing, performing, teaching and lecturing — and reviewing for The Oxford Times. His memoir The Days of Our Vanity (SilverWood, £9.99) describes the late 20th-century Oxford arts

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Justify new beliefs

Sir – The MP for the Witney constituency of Oxfordshire assured us that “the health service will be safe in our hands”. I believe he (David Cameron) worked for the present Health Secretary in opposition and yet, now, every professional health organisation

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Costly offence

Sir – You report (February 2) that the number of Oxfordshire drivers caught using their mobile phones has risen, with 17 caught every day. This is deeply worrying, though it is reassuring that the police are now taking this issue very seriously

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Doing porridge

Sir – I take it all back (Mr Farr’s letter complimenting the railways’ trolley service, February 2). My wife and I recently travelled to Paddington on First Great Western, and there was an innovation in the trolley service: porridge was available.

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Listen and engage

Sir – Your editorial comment (February 2) bemoans, quite rightly, the cost to the public purse of repeated consultations on the East Oxford Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and remarks that “one thing is for sure, the residents of East Oxford will not be

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International city

Sir – So nearly half of all births in Oxford in 2010 were by mothers not born in the UK (Report, February 2). It underlines is how young, successful and international Oxford is. Whether it’s the universities or the BMW car plant, what attracts people

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Olympiad of country

Sir – Re: (Oxfordshire Limited Edition, February, Debbie Dance: Our Sporting Heritage, p.95). One aspect of Oxford’s sporting heritage that should not be forgotten is cudgel-play, also known as singlestick. According to The Victoria County History of

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Put children first

Sir – The report (January 19) of (The) Cherwell School’s decision to become an academy as part of a “gold-rush” led by the hyperactive Michael Gove (1,529 academies and still counting) might be a good moment to celebrate the achievements of the now deceased

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Level playing field

Sir – Working with ethnic minorities is a win-win policy for the city. I was very pleased with the recent statement by councillor Armitage and strongly believe it will be a win-win situation for the city and county. Ethnic minority companies such as ours

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Less than pleasant

Sir – I can remember when station waiting rooms in winter had open coal fires. Today, it seems, you’re lucky to have a waiting room. I arrived at Goring and Streatley station today after walking 15 miles on the Ridgeway. The temperature was sub-zero,

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Light delays

Sir – Has the Game Fair come to Oxford again without telling anyone? It took me two hours to get to Long Hanborough from Kidlington at 5.30pm on January 30. There was nothing on any of the local radio stations. There had been no accident, instead by the

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Hard-nosed attitude

Sir – I can only echo the thoughts of many Oxonians regarding Oriel College’s hard-nosed attitude to not renewing the lease of Oddbins who have served Oxford for 40 years on the High Street. I know the college have trotted out platitudes about “clause

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Hidden college

Sir – I have cycled along Brewer Street regularly for years and although being vaguely aware that Pembroke College was somewhere in the vicinity, it was only after reading about the tensions between historic sites and kebab vans (Letters, February 2)

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Bazaar excitement

Sir – I was surprised at the prominent position you gave to Robert Triggs’ offensive letter regarding kebab vans in Oxford. Oxford is not just a city of “ancient colleges” and “famous architectural landmarks” but is a vibrant multi-cultural city made

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New vital link for Oxford

Sir – Your paper has been covering the discussions over redevelopment of the former railway land at Oxpens. While it seems that providing Oxford with a new purpose-built station at Oxpens may be unaffordable, we should not miss the chance to secure another

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Coping with frustration of ADHD

Sam was a bright and lively little boy but was very unhappy at school. He was criticised for being distracted, slow and messy. Life was very frustrating for him, his teachers and his family, but no one could suggest why this loving little boy was having

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Love they neighbour

Sir – Robert Triggs’ arguments are misconceived (Letters, February 2). While Mr Triggs, the Fellows and Master of Pembroke College, not to mention the rector of St Aldate’s church are evidently not partial to kebabs, the fact remains that someone in the

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The magnificent menace?

Andy Waters winces on hearing the word “pest”. For the regional spokesman for the RSPB, it is an unfitting label for a magnificent bird of prey, already lost to many parts of Europe. For him the story of the return of the red kite to the Chilterns

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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 9/2/2012)

Although it may not be apparent on first sight, the films of Jan Svankmajer and David Cronenberg have much in common. Yet, while the Canadian favoured a distinctive brand of what was dubbed `body horror' in castigating an increasingly soulless consumer

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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 9/2/2012)

Not that long ago, television took its role in showing movies seriously. Both BBC2 and Channel 4 could be relied upon to curate seasons devoted to seminal movements like the nouvelle vague, masters such as Fritz Lang or the films of emerging nations.

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Young prize winners bode well for future of Oxfordshire

Seventy eight years separated the birth dates of the youngest and oldest competitors at the 35th Kidlington Congress which took place last weekend. It’s too soon just yet for the youngest competitor — six-year-old Callaghan McCarty-Snead —

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Bordeaux mixed case, £113

Bordeaux – the very name conjures up images of centuries old grand Chateaux with fine names producing wines from hallowed soils destined for fancy cellars. However not all Bordeaux is quite so rarefied and the modern style is designed to be drank

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Grant to aid legal battles on benefit

OXFORD City Council is giving extra money to a charity helping people fight cuts to benefits. Under cost-cutting measures, the Ministry of Justice is reducing the amount of legal aid that can be claimed by people challenging decisions about

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Jury's out on plans to build on former courthouse site

WANTAGE’S former magistrates’ court and police station could be demolished for housing after the site was put up for sale. But the proposals have drawn opposition, with some councillors stressing that the town needs the right infrastructure first before