Archive
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Fletcher and England are out of order!
A pertinent comment from TV commentator Michael Atherton was a damning indictment on England's management team in the World Cup. Shortly after both skipper Michael Vaughan and Ed Joyce had failed yet again at the start of England's innings against Sri
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Fletcher and England are out of order!
A pertinent comment from TV commentator Michael Atherton was a damning indictment on England's management team in the World Cup. Shortly after both skipper Michael Vaughan and Ed Joyce had failed yet again at the start of England's innings against Sri
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Fletcher and England are out of order!
A pertinent comment from TV commentator Michael Atherton was a damning indictment on England's management team in the World Cup. Shortly after both skipper Michael Vaughan and Ed Joyce had failed yet again at the start of England's innings against Sri
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Cabbages and Kings: April 6, 2007
THE three young teenage girls, clutching their fashion-accessory mobile phones like life support machines, were giggling loudly as they came down the escalator of a Westgate Centre store. I followed their line of vision to see what had caused such merriment
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£2m coach fleet helps disabled
Wheelchair users can now use public transport to get to the airport, thanks to the Oxford Bus Company. The company, based in Watlington Road, has spent more than £2m on a fleet of 10 new coaches, which will travel between Gloucester Green and Heathrow
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Quirky little things....
A couple of things have happened this week that have really wowed me. One I feel is the best pre-empting of a situation I have heard in years, the other could get me a moment of fame on Soccer AM. The latter first...(is that an oxymoron or something?
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Quirky little things....
A couple of things have happened this week that have really wowed me. One I feel is the best pre-empting of a situation I have heard in years, the other could get me a moment of fame on Soccer AM. The latter first...(is that an oxymoron or something?
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Quirky little things....
A couple of things have happened this week that have really wowed me. One I feel is the best pre-empting of a situation I have heard in years, the other could get me a moment of fame on Soccer AM. The latter first...(is that an oxymoron or something?
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Murder-squad officers renew plea
POLICE investigating the murder of Enayi Khalili in Oxford said today that scenes of crime officers had finished their work at the scene. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said specialist search officers had been making a final search of 26-year-old
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Blades of Glory (12A)
The sequinned, skin-tight Lycra-clad world of men's figure skating provides the unlikely backdrop to the latest raucous comedy from Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby). Playing to type, Ferrell portrays another oafish, chauvinistic
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Sunshine (15)
From the UK director who brought us 28 Days Later, Trainspotting and Shallow Grave, thrilling sci-fi flick Sunshine is an epic and gripping space journey that examines human nature and portrays it at its very best - and its very worst. Set sometime
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FIXTURES April 6
FIXTURES. SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Northwich Victoria v Oxford Utd. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Stamford. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Burnham, Newport IOW v Didcot Tn, Oxford C v Chesham
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RESULTS April 6
RESULTS. FOOTBALL. NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Oxford Utd 0, Burton Albion 0. PONTIN'S HOLIDAYS COMBINATION East Div: Colchester Utd Res 0, Oxford Utd Res 0. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Saturday Premier Div: Rugby Tn 1, Banbury Utd 2. Div
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ROWING: Brodie aiming for third time lucky
Oxford University cox Nick Brodie hopes to make it third time lucky by steering the Dark Blues to victory in the historic contest from Putney to Mortlake tomorrow. For the past two years, the former world junior gold and silver medallist who attended
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ROWING: Dark Blues' secret weapon can stun Cambridge
Focused Oxford can cause an upset when they take on a heavyweight Cambridge from Putney to Mortlake tomorrow (4.30pm). The Light Blues, the second heaviest crew in Boat race history have the greater pedigree with five senior internationals on board,
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RACING: Youmzain cashes in for Channon
Mick Channon may not have tasted victory at the prestigious Dubai World Cup meeting - but the West Ilsley trainer's runners still collected a fair slice of the prize money Youmzain put up a cracking effort to finish third to Vengeance Of Rain in the
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Magicians
From the hottest new British comedians Mitchell and Webb and the creators of the award-winning 'Peep Show' comes Magicians - a hilarious new British comedy set in the world of stage magic. Lifelong friends Harry and Karl (David Mitchell and Robert
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BADMINTON: Feathers flying high as champions
Feathers have become the newly crowned Division 1 champions of the Oxfordshire Five Disciplines League. The Banbury-based quartet of Emma Cramond, Mary Le Druilienec, Jonny Bougourd and Stuart Quick had a near perfect round, overcoming Windrush 249-
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BOWLS: Oxon beaten in national final
Oxfordshire's hopes of lifting the Atherley Trophy in the English Women's National Inter-County final were dashed as they crashed to a 142-93 defeat against Lincolnshire at Reading. Oxon won only one of the six rinks as Lincs took the trophy for a record
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It's all-white in Andorra
I love ski-ing. At least, I remember loving skiing as a youngster - the wonderful freedom of darting down a slope at breathtaking speeds, slaloming from side-to-side with grace and poise before flashing a smile at one of those achingly pretty French/Spanish
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A life spent caring for others
Winifred Sylvia Gilmore passed away peacefully on March 4, aged 85, having spent a life caring for others. Born on February 17, 1922, to Jack and Winifred Costar, in Abingdon, she was the middle of three children. Her younger brother was Malcolm and
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Dot loved village life
Family and friends have said a piece of Kingham has gone forever following the death of Dot Long, who has died aged 85. Born on February 12, 1922, in a cottage in the village, near Chipping Norton, she was youngest child and only daughter of Arthur
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Magistrate was a devoted marathon runner
British Empire Medal holder, former JP, marathon runner and Abingdon football referee Derek Sibbet has died aged 79. Mr Sibbet moved to Abingdon from his native Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1963, working as an electrician for the Medical Research Council
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Missing woman found
A WOMAN who went missing in Oxford has been found safe in London. Alison Cox, 35, of no fixed abode, who was last seen in Oxford on Thursday, March 22, was found safe and well yesterday. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We would like to
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Missing woman found
A missing homeless woman who had not been seen since Thursday last week was yesterday found in London. Concerns had been growing for the welfare of Alison Cox, 35. She was found in London and police said was "safe and well".
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Cloudy bay case, £186
These wines are in short supply with very high demand, so please be aware that this case is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the rarity of these wines, the vintages of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir may move on to 2005. The Cloudy
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Don't miss Cloudy Bay
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a piece about New World Sauvignon Blancs in general and New Zealand's Cloudy Bay in particular. However, did the offer include a single bottle of Cloudy Bay's cult Sauvignon Blanc? Sadly, it did not. Were there howls of
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The Bourne Ultimatum
Matt Damon returns as the trained assassin Jason Bourne for the latest showdown in The Bourne Ultimatum. In the follow-up to 2002's The Bourne Identity and 2004's The Bourne Supremacy acclaimed director Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Supremacy
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Musical extravaganza planned
Bands, dancers and fans will be descending on Witney next week for the town's first ever music festival. Dozens of artists, playing everything from hard rock to folk and jazz, will be playing at venues around the town - and all for free. The week-long
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Catholic anger at statue attack
Roman Catholics in Banbury are shocked and angry after vandals damaged a sacred 60-year-old statue in St John's churchyard in South Bar. Both hands of a statue of the Virgin Mary were broken off by someone using what was thought to have been an axe
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 107.5 BMW 3068 Electrocomponents 298 Isoft Group 34.25 Oxford Biomedica 49.75 Oxford Instruments 249 Reed Elsevier 614.25 RM 175.75 RPS Group 336.75 Oxonica 135 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Boards beat boredom
'Three new community noticeboards have gone up in Cowley, Oxford, to tell residents what is going on in their area. They are the first such information boards to go up in the Temple Cowley and Cowley Marsh wards and have been paid for by Oxford
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Road safety volunteers make vital difference
The biggest cause of death among schoolchildren is road traffic accidents. Nationally, two thirds of fatalities among this age group are as a result of being hit by a vehicle. As roads get busier, there is all the more need for children to learn how
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Arsonists are targeted by police
Firefighters have teamed up with police in an attempt to reduce arson attacks across the county. Former policeman Steve Baker has been given the role of arson reduction officer and is keen to clampdown on firebugs. He will work with fire investigators
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Sir Basil's legacy slips away quietly
CHRIS KOENIG mourns the passing of an iconic Oxford publisher out of local hands after nearly a century A momentous event in the history of Oxford, both town and gown, passed almost unnoticed earlier this year; on February 5 to be precise. It was
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Fairy tale to thrill all ages
When Hans Christian Andersen heard that a planned statue would depict him surrounded by children, he protested that the child-like elements were only part of his tales, and that he was a "poet for all ages", writes David Bellan. Teatro Kismet's delightful
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New life for doomed lovers
Hats off to the great local group the Musical Youth Company of Oxford for their latest bold and exciting show, RJ - a Rock Musical, writes Angie Johnson. Based on Shakespeare's classic tragedy of doomed young love, Romeo and Juliet, there could not
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Puppet shows at The Mill
Puppet shows are just some of the events of a packed Easter programme of children's entertainment at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury. Children aged from five to eight have their own tailored Easter arts workshop on Tuesday which will be full of creativity
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British Empire Medal recipient
BRITISH Empire Medal recipient, former JP, marathon runner and football referee Derek Sibbet has died at the age of 79. Mr Sibbet moved to Abingdon from his native Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1963, working as an electrician at the Medical Research Council
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FOOTBALL: Mole is hero for Six Bells
Goalkeeper Darren Mole was the hero for Six Bells Kidlington as his save helped his side lift the OFA Sam Waters Cup with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shoot-out win against Barton United at Oxford City, writes GEOFF BOWER. With the sides locked at 2-2 after
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Argos' goods sale is probed
Trading standards is investigating complaints that people were duped at a sale of purported 'Argos' goods. Officials said several complaints had been received about Sunday's sale at Didcot Town Football Club, which was advertised with the retailer's
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Yobs ban may stay
Police and council leaders in Abingdon are pondering whether to renew a dispersal order which has cut bad behaviour on the streets. The order has been credited with cutting vandalism and problems in the area after it was introduced in May. The Vale
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Solving the drought
Prepare for a dry summer, says VAL BOURNE Lots of gardeners were in despair last summer because of the hosepipe ban. Many struggled to carry cans of water to their flagging treasures. But there are plenty of plants that shrug off drought and never
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Only Bond can beat Cameron
David Cameron has proved it is possible to be 40 and fashionable - having been voted the second best dressed male by GQ magazine. The Tory leader and Witney MP has moved up three places in the chart this year and was only kept off the top spot by sharp-suited
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FOOTBALL: Fancy being United No 2?
Oxford United supporters are being offered the chance to be Jim Smith's assistant for the day - and help him decide on substitutions and tactics. The role of U's assistant manager is being auctioned as part of Peter Rhoades-Brown's testimonial against
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Spot the birdie . . . it's important
The RSPB is calling on the public to help it in a survey to work out the numbers of lapwing surviving in Oxfordshire, writes HELEN PEACOCKE. The RSPB is conducting a survey this month to ask the public to look out for lapwings. Well if you had ventured
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Restaurant wins pontoon fight
A LEGAL battle to prevent an Oxford restaurant using a riverside pontoon has been lost. The High Court, in London, has ruled that Aziz Pandesia - formerly Aqua Vitae - at Folly Bridge can use the pontoon, overruling Oxford City Council and a planning
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FOOTBALL: Flaherty floors 'em
Morrells of Oxford Sunday League Shaun Flaherty hammered a hat-trick for Oxford Yellows as they moved a step nearer the Division 1 title with a 6-2 drubbing of Saxon Warriors. Joey Beauchamp notched a double, with Rocky Whiting their other marksman
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FOOTBALL: Robin Hood march into final
Autotype UTV League Robin Hood ambushed OARDFC late in extra time to book their place in final of the Ridgeway Cup with a 3-2 victory. Martin Latimer grabbed a last-gasp strike - his ninth goal in the competition - to clinch a dramatic semi-final
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Police warn rowdy teens
Parents can once again expect a 'knock on the door' if they fail to take action over their rowdy children. Earlier this year, police sent out letters to the homes of 17 children suspected of antisocial behaviour in Witney. The letters were the result
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'Jimbob' makes fond farewell
A newsagents in Kennington which has served the village for more than 40 years shuts its doors for good at the end of the month. Jim "Jimbob" Hardiman, 58, and his wife Lynda, 59, have run J&L Hardimans, in Meadow Road, since September 1983, but have
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A nightmare that’s a dream come true
NICOLA LISLE talks to the stars of Nightmare Songs, a new piece coming soon to Oxford's Old Fire Station Imagine the scene. You are the official understudy to the principal patter man of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. You rarely get the chance to
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Sounds and images of apartheid
The music at Luminox was only a taste of Oxford Contemporary Music's season, writes PAUL MEDLEY The spring season of Oxford Contemporary Music's began at the remarkable Luminox events but, according to director Jo Ross, the best is yet to come. There
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Painters' visions among opulence and anxiety
JEANNINE ALTON has good reason to celebrate spring - the opening of a new exhibition at Compton Verney What are the signs of spring for you? Great sunbursts of yellow in every garden, grass verge and highway rim as daffodils and forsythia riot? The
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Union visitors blamed for vandalism
An angry homeowner thinks drunken partygoers leaving a late night student venue at Oxford Brookes University are responsible for vand- alising his car. Martin Young, 61, who lives in a private road off Headington Hill, found his car with a 'to let'
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Give her a call
Go on, give Mary Clarkson a call, she's waiting to hear from you. There are shades of Superwoman from the Labour city councillor on leaflets that have been appearing on doormats throughout her Marston ward. On them she says: "It doesn't matter whether
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Points failure delays trains
COMMUTERS suffered severe delays at Oxford Rail Station last night following a points failure. Services were disrupted at about 4.50pm and a number of trains were left stranded inside carriages. The problem had been caused by a breakdown in the power
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Report warning over £45bn school plans
Government's building programme may create outdated classrooms, writes TIM ROSS Gordon Brown's £45bn plan to rebuild England's schools is in danger of producing classrooms which are not fit for lessons, a report warns. Most school buildings date
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Power to the 'Davids' of Botley
Victory is sweet for the residents of Botley, Oxford. They may have lost the first battle when McDonald's bought the former Carpenter's Arms pub to open a restaurant near their homes. But twice since, they have taken on the burger giant - and twice
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Only time will tell
I thank Jean Fooks for enlightening me where Oxford's green waste is taken for composting (Oxford Mail, March 27). I accept her answer as the truthful one I was looking for, and suggest she informs staff at Marsh Road of the correct details to ensure
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An easy guide to recycling
I think I've got it. The GREEN recycling BOX takes glass bottles and jars (rinsed), newspapers, magazine and WHITE office paper. It does not take broken or sheet glass, plastics, cardboard, envelopes, directories, food and drink cartons and cans.
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Residents asked about parking changes
The number of parking permits in West Oxford could be slashed in a bid to combat chronic on-street congestion. Each household is entitled to two permits but Oxfordshire County Council has floated the idea of reducing that to one. The suggestion was
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BAR BILLIARDS: Trafford to face Rose
MARK Trafford will meet Dave Rose in the semi-finals of the Oxford & District League's Pat Webber Cup at The Dolphin. The other last-four clash sees Martyn Wood take on Kevin Pringle. RESULTS Section 3 Play Off: Headington Con Club 3, Nelson B 2.
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'Birth care needs cash'
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has been challenged to put her money where her mouth is over the county's maternity service. Unveiling Labour's vision for the future of maternity services in England, Mrs Hewitt promised women a 'gold standard' in care
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars sign off with defeat
Oxford City Stars finished bottom of the English National League South Division play-offs after a 7-3 defeat at Streatham Redskins. Following a scoreless first period, Oxford's Dean Francis netted 31 seconds after the restart. Stars grabbed a second
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GOLF: Results round-up
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1 Drayton Park 1 (1pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Drayton Park first): A Griffiths & J Pepperell bt J Summers & D Walton 1 hole, A Elmey & B James lost to P Dolton & A Walton 5 & 4, G Shirley & S Berry lost
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Crackdown cuts crime
People living on an Oxford estate believe drug use and antisocial behaviour have reduced since police launched a new community initiative last year. A survey of 100 Barton residents found the majority felt levels of drug use and antisocial behaviour
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'Devolution' call from councils
Chief executives representing Oxfordshire's five district councils have met to formulate plans to get County Hall to devolve more power. The five chiefs met yesterday ahead of a meeting next week with County Hall chief executive Joanna Simons when they
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McDonald's loses attempt at 5am opening
McDONALD'S has failed in its application for all-night opening at one of its Oxford restaurants. Thirty people living near the restaurant off Botley Road, Oxford, wrote to the Vale of White Horse District Council, saying the firm's plans to stay open
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Playground is a real rat run
Rats attracted by dumped bread are scuttling around a popular Oxford children's play area, causing a health hazard. Michael Kennedy, who lives in Charles Street, near the play area in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, said calls to city workers to deal with
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Rodents seen at children’s play area
RATS attracted by dumped bread are scuttling around a popular Oxford children's play area, causing a health hazard. Michael Kennedy, who lives in Charles Street, near the play area in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, said calls to city workers to deal with
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Radley Lakes inquiry to be extended
AN INQUIRY into the status of Radley Lakes is being extended to enable extra sessions to be held, due to the number of people who want to give evidence. The inquiry, into whether the lakes should be designated as a 'village green', thereby preventing
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Man waved gun on Internet
A MAN showed a "fascination with violence" after posting a picture of himself on the Internet wearing a balaclava and waving a gun. Dean Lissenden, 21, was arrested after an anonymous person sent the pictures downloaded from a website called Bebo to
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Millionth Mini takes to road
Workers at the Cowley Mini plant are celebrating after the one millionth car rolled off the production line. The pepper white-coloured Mini Cooper S sported a specially-developed almond green-coloured paint for the roof, along with a special "million
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Radley Lakes inquiry to be extended
An inquiry into the status of Radley Lakes is being extended to enable extra sessions to be held, due to the number of people who want to give evidence. The inquiry, into whether the lakes should be designated as a 'village green', thereby preventing
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Man waved gun on Internet
A man showed a "fascination with violence" after posting a picture of himself on the Internet wearing a balaclava and waving a gun. Dean Lissenden, 21, was arrested after an anonymous person sent the pictures downloaded from a website called Bebo to
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Trust may lift ban on phones
HOSPITAL managers are looking at dropping a ban on mobiles after bedside phone system company Patientline announced a rise in call prices. Managers at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust have said they were not told about the telephone and television
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Man threatened with sword and dog
A teenager threatened to kill a neighbour and his whole family after a dispute over a missing child's garden swing, a court heard. Jason Finch, 19, was sent to a young offenders' institution for a year yesterday after he admitted making threats to kill
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Castle mound is reopened to visitors
Oxford's crumbling Castle Mound is once again open to the public as county council leaders wait to find out how much it will cost to repair. At the end of February, there were a series of landslips on the New Road side of the mound, and safety fencing
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McDonald’s 5am bid is chewed up
McDonald's bit off more than it could chew yesterday when it lost its bid to supersize its hours until 5am. Thirty people living near the restaurant off Botley Road, Oxford, wrote to the Vale of White Horse District Council, saying the burger chain's
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TABLE TENNIS: Forum close in on crown
FORUM A are on the brink of becoming Oxford & District League Division 1 champions for the fifth successive season after beating Morris Motors B 9-1. Karl Bushell recorded his 18th maximum of the season, and he was well supported by a hat-trick of wins
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Hospital may lift mobile phone ban
Hospital bosses are looking at dropping a ban on mobiles after bedside phone system company Patientline announced a hike in call prices. Managers at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust have said they were not told about the telephone and television
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'First nights' that aren't
Nearly 40 years ago, when I began reviewing theatre, a first night was a first night. Now the 'first night', so called, can sometimes take place a month or more after the production opens. Its alternative name these days is a 'press night'. That theatre
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U’s hit back of the (Inter)net
Oxford United are hoping to net some extra cash by auctioning off memorabilia such as former players' shirts. The club is taking advantage of a new partnership between the Football League and a company called Vujoo which runs auction site specialistauctions.com
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Brave Molly says thanks
Today, Molly Crawford looks like any other happy, healthy five-year-old girl. But her outward appearance hides the fact that, due to a two-year battle with cancer, her short life has already involved more pain, fear and discomfort than most people go
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United auction memorabilia
OXFORD United is hoping to net some extra cash by auctioning off memorabilia such as former players' shirts. The club is taking advantage of a new partnership between the Football League and a company called Vujoo which runs auction site specialistauctions.com
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Brave Molly says thanks
TODAY, Molly Crawford looks like any other happy, healthy five-year-old girl. But her outward appearance hides the fact that, thanks to a two-year battle with cancer, her short life has already involved more pain, fear and discomfort than most people
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SPEEDWAY: Cheetahs offer apology
THE annihilation on Monday night has left everyone involved with Oxford Cheetahs still trying to come to terms with the embarrassing defeat. A 64-28 home loss to Coventry Bees was, in my 28 years of covering Oxford speedway, the most complete domination
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BOWLS: Carterton showdown
Carterton have become the first Oxfordshire club to reach the Wessex League final. They booked their place in the decider with a 76-63 victory over Cotswold at East Dorset BC. Now they face Somerset's Clarrie Dunbar in the final at North Wilts, Chippenham
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Castle mound is reopened to visitors
OXFORD'S Castle Mound is once again open to the public as county council leaders wait to find out how much it will cost to repair. At the end of February, there were a series of landslips on the New Road side of the mound, and safety fencing was erected
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GOLF: Brave eight take over reins
A team of eight members have taken over Shrivenham Park in a bid to stop it from closing. Falling profits meant owner Paul Kirwin, of Ball Game Ltd, was looking to sell up, but he has agreed to let the group run the club for a six month trial period
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BOWLS: County duo grab national glory
Oxfordshire's Mike Keevil and David Wiggins won the pairs competition at the English Short Mat Association National Championships at Kettering. Keevil and Wiggins's triumph saw Oxfordshire retain the trophy following Matt Smith and Trevor Brown's success
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BOWLS: North Leigh land title
NORTH Leigh won the Oxford & District Shortmat League for the second time in three years. Last year's winners, Blackbird Leys A, finished runners-up. Blackbird Leys's Herbie Payne won the singles competition, and teamed up with his son, Bobbie, to
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BOWLS: Oxon crash in trophy final
Oxfordshire's hopes of lifting the Atherley Trophy in the English Women's National Inter-County final were dashed as they crashed to a 142-93 defeat against Lincolnshire at Reading. Oxon enjoyed success on only one of the six rinks as Lincs took the
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Juicy stories of muck and money
I picture the 10th (and last) Earl Fitzwilliam most vividly at a number of near-identical Conservative Party annual summer fetes at Milton Hall, near Peterborough. He was all aristocratic affability as he strode among the stalls on his front 'lawn';
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Zealots rejoikce over dead GIs
Wars and conflicts now occur so frequently that, fairly soon, every week will mark the anniversary of some violent outburst or other. Most recently television has reminded us that it is the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and the 25th anniversary
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The Trout, Godstow, Oxford
'It's half-past five. We'll get to Godstow in time for dinner, drink at the Trout, leave Hardcastle's motor car and walk back by the river. Wouldn't that be best?" Lord Sebastian Flyte's suggestion to his pal Charles Ryder, as the two motor back from
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Recipe: Trout on surprise mushy peas
This recipe comes from Michael van Straten's The Omega 3 Cookbook (Kyle Cathie Ltd, £12.99 paperback). The book shows the many flavoursome ways we can enjoy the benefits of eating omega 3 and omega 6 (essential fatty acids), which are so necessary to
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Forget chocolate — give a book for Easter
You don't have to give chocolate eggs as Easter gifts. A box of free-range local eggs and a book filled with recipes that call for fresh eggs is a far more meaningful gift - it's healthier too. Top of my list this Easter is the Bride & Groom Cookbook
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Sunshine and Blades of Glory
Three years after his unexpected foray into family films with the festive fable Millions, director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, The Beach) blazes a trail back to brooding, adult fare with a suspenseful, science fiction adventure. Sunshine looks sensational
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In praise of difficult films
Nanni Moretti is one of Europe's most courageous auteurs. Whether he's experimenting with the feature format (as in Dear Diary, 1993) or exploring his own emotions (as in The Son's Room, 2001), Moretti is always prepared to take chances in order to denounce
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Eugene Onegin, ETO, Cheltenham
English Touring Opera's rising star Amanda Echalaz, having won plaudits as Handel's Alcina and Janacek's Jenufa, consolidates her reputation in what always seems as if it ought to be another title role, but isn't. Tatiana, the heroine of Tchaikovsky's
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Burford Singers, Burford Church
The Burford Singers were in good voice last weekend for their traditional Palm Sunday concert at Burford Church. As always, this was a finely-balanced programme, ensuring plenty of variety in both emotion and musical style. First up was Vaughan Williams
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Preview: The Full Monty, Headington Theatre
The new Oxfordshire-based theatre company BMH Productions certainly believe in providing variety for their performers and their audiences. Set up a year ago by young actors Edward Blagrove, Emrys Matthews and Ashley Harvey, the company has already offered
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Oxford band to play at Glastonbury
OXFORD country-rock band The Epstein has beaten almost 2,500 other groups to win a spot at the world-famous Glastonbury Festival in June. They will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Oasis, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and The Kinks by playing at
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Oxford Folk Festival
The queues started forming early for the fourth Oxford Folk Festival, a sure sign that the weekend's event had truly made its mark in the city and beyond. Some had travelled from different corners of the country to see Friday's headlining act at the Town
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RJ — A Rock Musical, St Edward's School
Hats off to the great local group the Musical Youth Company of Oxford for their latest bold and exciting show, RJ - a Rock Musical. Based on Shakespeare's classic tragedy of doomed teenage love, Romeo and Juliet, there could not be a story more fitted
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The Dream of Gerontius
A Passion? It would certainly be an obvious choice at this time in the Christian year. But instead Oxford Harmonic Society decided on Elgar's mighty Dream of Gerontius for its Eastertide concert. Yet the chosen work was appropriate - Elgar's setting of
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Gilad Atzmon: The Spin
It is impossible not to enjoy the work of saxophonist Gilad Atzmon. He has astonishing technique and great emotional depth. But his latest musical venture and album, Artie Fishel and the Promised Band (pictured), presents a conundrum, even a contradiction
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Khovanshchina: Welsh National Opera
Welsh National Opera provided a thrilling experience that few who saw it will forget in David Pountney's astonishing new production of Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina. A fitting climax to the company's spring visit to Milton Keynes, it offered a welcome engagement
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Natalie Clein/European Union Chamber Orchestra
It was a shame that more people didn't turn up to the Sheldonian last Thursday, because this was a wonderful opportunity to hear one of today's truly great musicians. Cellist Natalie Clein, a former winner of the Young Musician of the Year award - and
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Inside Outside and Beyond
Three Oxfordshire artists - Marie Robinson, Sarah Moncrieff and Alan Thomas - are exhibiting their work at the Said Business School at the moment. Each one has taken up art as a second career, but although they meet regularly to discuss their work, each
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The Snow Queen, Oxford Playhouse
When Hans Christian Andersen heard that a planned statue would depict him surrounded by children, he protested that the child-like elements were only part of his tales, and that he was a "poet for all ages". Teatro Kismet's delightful production of
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Preview: Rattigan double bill, Oxford Playhouse
Taking on a part that's been played on screen by both Sir Michael Redgrave and Albert Finney is a challenge few would like to face, but Nick Quartley (pictured) of the Oxford Theatre Guild is undaunted at the prospect. Nick retired last summer after 31
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Mast passed on appeal
MOBILE phone company Vodafone has been granted planning permission for a phone mast in Marsh Lane, Marston. after taking it to appeal. The original application for the 15-metre mast was turned down in November last year on the grounds of design and
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Park-and-ride staff will walk out
PARK-and-ride security guards will strike after talks with city council managers broke down a second time. The council wants to save cash by making security guards at its Redbridge, Seacourt and Pear Tree sites work alone at night. Union leaders think
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Shock at vandal attack
ROMAN Catholics in Banbury are shocked after vandals damaged a sacred 60-year-old statue in St John's churchyard in South Bar. Both hands of a statue of the Virgin Mary have been broken off, just a week after blue paint had been thrown over the figure
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Residents win mast victory
RESIDENTS opposing plans for a mobile phone mast near their homes in North Oxford have won their battle after demonstrating outside the city council's planning office. Last month, home owners demonstrated outside the office, in St Ebbe's, after T-Mobile
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Free bus pass row drags on
A ROW over the cost of free bus travel in Oxford could be resolved by Government ministers. At the heart of the disagreement is the fact neither the city council nor Oxford's two major bus operators - Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach - can agree on
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Crisis aid plea for psychiatric patients
HUNDREDS of mental health patients in Oxfordshire are being denied emergency care because NHS managers will not give them access to crisis help. Carers have complained to an NHS watchdog that Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Healthcare Trust should
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Golden hopes for fundraising
BANBURY Christian Aid Week organisers launched their 2007 campaign with a Countdown event at Marlborough Road Methodist Church. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Christian Aid Week - Britain's longest running door-to-door fund-raiser - and the
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Suitcase alert
POLICE cordoned off part of Banbury town centre last Friday afternoon after a black suitcase was left in a phonebox in The Horsefair. Area beat officer PCPaul Froggatt investigated and found it to be empty. The bomb squad was not called.
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MP asks: Who is deciding the Horton's future?
THE Freedom of Information Act is being used in a bid to discover who is deciding the future of Banbury's Horton Hospital. The town's MP, Tony Baldry, has demanded the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust releases the names, job titles, and qualifications
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Head's Alpine ski challenge
THE headteacher of Chipping Norton School is taking part in a ski challenge over the Easter holiday to raise money for a South African school. Simon Duffy will walk, climb and ski over Alpine terrain in aid of Imingcangathelo school in South Africa.
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Chiltern top for punctuality
CHILTERN Railways is the must punctual of all Britain's main line operators, according to new statistics from the Rail Regulator. Overall, 95.2 per cent of Chiltern's services arrived on time or within five minutes of scheduled time between October
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Firms fined over bins
TWO Oxford city centre businesses have been handed their final warning after being fined for failing to manage trade waste for a second time. Clothing store Top Shop, in Queen Street, and Colours Sports Bar, in St Ebbe's Street, have been given £100
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New Labour leader starts
VETERAN councillor and former Lord Mayor of Oxford, Barbara Gatehouse, has been elected the new leader of Oxfordshire County Council's Labour group. The former advice centre worker has replaced Liz Brighouse who has stepped down to stand for the politically-neutral
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Signing up for spring clean blitz
SCHOOLS and parish councils have signed up to take part in Cherwell's 2007 spring clean campaign. The month-long project encourages communities to be clean and green, and save taxpayers money by reducing the amount of litter dropped in towns, villages
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On the run . . .
TWO staff members of Charter Community Housing are on the run - as they get ready for the London marathon on April 22. Roger Maddams and Ian Robinson are already in training and hope to raise money for two charities, Katharine House Hospice and Asthma
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Prodrive reaches for the stars
THE sky is no limit for the Banbury-based motorsport business, Prodrive. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket has blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, carrying satellite components manufactured by the local firm. The rocket
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Blues at Croughton
A BLUES band will be at Croughton village hall on Saturday April 14. The Daniel Smith Blues Band, said by organisers' spokesman Tony Cross, to be a stomping, boogie woogie, rocking blues group featuring pianist/vocalist Daniel Smith, will play from
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Special events at Easter
SPECIAL events at Banbury Museum over the Easter holidays include: Light & Optics - an interactive science exhibition at which visitors can experiment with lenses and lasers, and lightning. and luminosity. Art Cart: Show Your True Colours - visitors
