Archive

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Police and forensics swarm Oxfordshire town's quiet neighbourhood

Police and paramedics are attending an incident at a block of flats in Abingdon. Neighbours saw as many six police cars arrive in Spenlove Close, off Dunmore Road, after 3pm.  Staff from South Central Ambulance are also on scene at the incident

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Blue cards to be introduced for football sin bins (How will this impact the game?)

A blue card is set to be trialled out in professional football very soon as part of testing surrounding sin bin options. Lawmakers from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) have signed off on the new card. It will see players

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Concerns raised over future of village as plans for 99 homes submitted

Concerns have been raised over the future of a village on the outskirts of Bicester as plans to build 99 homes have been submitted. An application has been lodged with Cherwell District Council by Richborough Estates to build the new development

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'Caution' urged over traffic light outage at main road

8:56pm Drivers are urged to approach the junction with caution if travelling on and through Main Street and Station Road

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Concern over major appointment amid blood scandal claims

Concerns have been raised about the expert appointed to advise the Government on compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal. Cabinet Office minister John Glen has announced that Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery has been appointed

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‘Owen will not be part of our squad’: Winger to miss out on trip to former club

OWEN Dale will not feature when Oxford United make the trip to Blackpool this weekend due to an agreement with his former employers. The 25-year-old winger joined the U’s from the Seasiders on January deadline day last week, with suggestions since

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Oxford United launches first LGBTQ+ supporters group

Oxford United have the club's first official LGBTQ+ supporters group. The club said: "As a club, we recognise the importance of inclusivity and the key role we can play in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. "We want everyone to feel welcome to

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Post office set to reopen at new Morrisons Daily store

Following temporary closure, an Oxford post office is set to re-open tomorrow (Friday, February 9). The Post Office has confirmed that it will reopen in the now Morrisons Daily store (formerly Martin’s under McColl’s) on Balfour Road tomorrow.

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Neighbour town ranks among most depressing places to live

Three Oxfordshire towns up for the UK’s most depressing places to live have avoided the top 20 list - unlike a neighbour across the border. A national review website, iLiveHere.com, notorious for its scathing reviews, has unveiled its top 20 list

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Former Debenhams set for £30m sale to laboratory developer

The former Debenhams department store in Oxford is close to being bought by a life sciences property developer, according to reports. It is being reported by EG Radius, a commercial real estate outlet, that a deal worth more than £30m would see

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EastEnders star to quit show tonight just days after Albert Square return

A well-known EastEnders star is to leave Albert Square tonight just days after returning to the BBC soap opera. Karen Taylor, who is played by Lorraine Stanley, will leave the programme once again in another surprise for fans. The character

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Grieving ex-girlfriend of Jorge Martin Carreno waded into water where he died

A grieving woman visited the bathing spot where her ex-boyfriend was ‘murdered’ a week after his death, a court heard. Irene Hidalgo waded into the water in Parsons Pleasure - where Jorge Carreno's body was discovered - to  “figure out how deep

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New Indian restaurant to open on Cowley Road

An Indian restaurant is set to open tomorrow in Oxford's Cowley Road. Dosa Darlings aims to "disrupt the perception" associated with Indian cuisine by offering a cocktail menu alongside South Indian inspired small plates. The restaurant is

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Unlucky game show contestant has been on TV more than 50 times and won nothing

A game show contestant has been on TV more than 50 times but he’s got very little to show for it. Despite trying his hand at various TV shows including Come Dine With Me, The 1% Club, Dickinson's’ Real Deal, Britain's Got Talent and Tipping Point

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Power cut affecting hundreds of Oxfordshire households

8:58pm Power is in the process of being restored.  Updates can be accessed using the following link: https://powertrack.ssen.co.uk

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Flood alert warning as river levels rise after heavy rainfall

A flood alert has been issued for the Oxford area after persistent and heavy rainfall.  The Environment Agency issued the alert this afternoon (February 8) for areas near the River Thames. This includes areas between Wolvercote, Radley and

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Ex-Oxford University student fell to death from £1.4m flat while on cocaine

An Oxford graduate and city financier fell to his death from the roof of his £1.4 million flat after taking cocaine, an inquest heard yesterday (Thursday, February 7). Christopher Coe, was seen falling around 25 feet from the roof of his luxury

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Last known movements of 'murder victim' before death

A JURY in the murder trial of a 30-year-old man in Oxford has been taken through his last movements the night he died. Jorge Carreno was found dead at Parson's Pleasure, a popular naked male bathing spot near the centre of Oxford, on July 26, 2021

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Homes Under the Hammer plumber makes £7,000 a year on damp flat

BBC's Homes Under the Hammer often shows how developers can turn nothing into something and this week was no different. A plumber and property developer revealed how he will take home more than £7,000 a year after buying a damp-riddled flat at

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Major disruptions after person struck by train on Oxford line to London

Trains to London Paddington could be cancelled for the rest of the day after a person was hit by a train. Rail passengers are being warned that trains from Reading to London Paddington are being cancelled due to the incident this morning. Great

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Walkers releases 2 new 'banging' crisp flavours as discontinued product returns

Walkers has released two new flavours of crisps in the UK as part of its Sensations range. Walkers Crisps are responsible for a range of products including Quavers, Wotsits, Monster Munch, Squares and Bugles as well as their various ranges like

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Looking for a taste of Italy? Here are the top 6 pizza places in Oxfordshire

February 9th serves as National Pizza Day, inviting pizza enthusiasts in Oxfordshire and across the nation to celebrate their favoured dish. In all fairness, you never usually need an excuse to celebrate a pizza or indeed eat one, but if it's National

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Business case accepted for 'desperately needed' new GP surgery

The executive board of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) has accepted a business case for a new GP surgery at Great Western Park. Confirming this development via its website last Friday (February

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Popular coffee chain's town branch receives TWO star food hygiene rating

Caffé Nero in Banbury town centre has received a two-out-of-five score following its latest inspection last month. The coffee shop, in the High Street, received the low rating from the Food Standards Agency, which denotes “improvement necessary

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Diddly Squat Farm apologises as shop website unexpectedly crashes

Diddly Squat Farm has apologised to its customers as its shop website has unexpectedly crashed. The popular farm shop, which was opened by Jeremy Clarkson in 2020, took to social media to let shoppers know its website was down this morning (February

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Trains to London Paddington cancelled due to 'incident'

Rail passengers are being warned that trains from Reading to London Paddington are being cancelled due to an incident. Great Western Railway has issued a statement on its website apologising for the disruption.  The cancellations are affecting

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Officer driving police car sentenced after hitting parked cars

A police officer has been sentenced after crashing into two cars while on duty causing her vehicle to land on its roof. PC Charlotte Morris, aged 23, who is based at Slough police, was driving a marked police car along Eton Wick Road near Windsor

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'Murder victim' warned city is 'dangerous place' hours before death

AN alleged ‘murder victim’ was warned by a friend that Oxford was a ‘dangerous place’ hours before his death, a jury has heard. A trial has started at Oxford Crown Court where Scarlet Blake, 25, of Crotch Crescent, Marston, stands charged with

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Heavy A34 delays after crash and flooding issues

4:28pm We are now closing this live blog as this incident has now been cleared. Thank you for following our live coverage

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Prince William makes cheeky dig at Tom Cruise and issues warning

Prince William made a cheeky dig at American film star Tom Cruise after returning to royal duties following the hospital admission of King Charles and Princess Kate. The heir had been off for several weeks caring for his wife who underwent abdominal

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Motorway flooding as heavy rain falls in Oxfordshire

Motorists are being delayed on key routes as heavy rainfall causes tricky driving conditions this morning (February 8). There is congestion on the A34 near Abingdon after a crash has taken place.  This was reported by authorities at around

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Oxfam wants thousands of volunteers for music festivals

Oxfam is looking to recruit a record number of volunteers for what it has called its "biggest ever year of festivals". The Oxford-based charity is looking for 8,500 volunteers to work on events such as Glastonbury, Reading, Latitude and Isle of

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CCTV imaged released after city centre theft

A CCTV image has been released of a man as police investigate a theft in Oxford. Between 10am and 11.15am on Friday, January 26 a locked bike was stolen from a bike rack in St Ebbes Street. The bike is a men’s mountain bike, light blue in colour

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Pensioner found guilty of child sex crimes including rape

A PENSIONER has been found guilty of several counts of child sex abuse against girls as young as four. Roy Summers, of Springfield Oval in Witney, stood trial at Oxford Crown Court charged with 17 counts of historic child sex abuse of which he

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Man charged in connection with burglary and handling stolen goods

An Oxfordshire man has been charged in connection with a burglary and handling stolen goods. Simon Snuggs, aged 54, of Tighe Close, Wantage, was arrested on Monday (February 5) and charged the following day (February 6). He was charged with

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Delays due to A34 incident

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Murder trial hears of final movements of 'victim'

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Another arrest after 'violent' disorder ahead of Oxford United game

Another arrest has been made as police continued to investigate violent disorder before Oxford United’s clash with Reading last year. This comes after five were arrested on Friday, February 2 and 13 people were arrested on Monday, January 29 following

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Passengers warned with delays to trains after 'fault'

A technical fault has caused delays to Great Western Railway (GWR) services. GWR has confirmed that a fault with the signalling system at Gloucester has results in all lines being blocked.  This has caused all services between London Paddington

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Raymond Blanc 'immensely proud' of Oxfordshire restaurant's Michelin success

Renowned chef Raymond Blanc has expressed his "immense joy" with flagship restaurant Le Manoir (Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons) nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside. Le Manoir's kitchens have trained 28 Michelin-starred chefs including Ollie Dabbous

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Stars out in force for filming in Beaconsfield for Netflix series

A TASTE of Hollywood came to Forty Green in Beaconsfield as scenes for a star-studded Netflix series were filmed in the village. Romantic comedy Too Much, a Netflix production written and directed by Lena Dunham was filmed at The Royal Standard

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I tried McDonald’s new menu items and I don’t want them ever to leave

Fast food giant McDonald’s is back with some brand-new menu items set to get your taste buds tingly for the new month of February. The new items include the likes of a Raspberry and White Chocolate Pie, KitKat Ruby Chocolate McFlurry and the extra

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Kate Garraway 'in tears' during emotional return to GMB hosting duties

Kate Garraway issued an emotional message to viewers as she returned to hosting duties on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday. The presenter thanked viewers for the “incredible” love and support she has received following the death of her husband

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Rishi Sunak doubles down on trans jibe despite calls from Brianna Ghey’s father

Rishi Sunak still refuses to apologise for his “dehumanising” transgender joke in the House of Commons whilst the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey watched on from the gallery. Brianna’s father, Peter Spooner,  has since said the Prime Minister

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BBC to launch new radio stations aimed at 'underserved' UK audiences

The BBC has announced that it will be launching new genre-focused radio stations to cater to "underserved" audiences. The stations will be in the DAB+ format and act as extensions of popular channels like Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3. There

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I'm a GP: Here are my 3 top tips to help you quit vaping for good

A GP has shared three top tips she recommends that will help you quit vaping.  Over one in four vapers believe that their habit is completely risk-free and not addictive, according to new research.  Worryingly, 15 per cent of respondents reported

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Ignoring this common boiler 'red flag' might cost you £1000s

A boiler expert has explained how you should tackle a low-pressure boiler and therefore, save yourself thousands. It might be tempting to ignore a dodgy boiler - especially during a cost of living crisis - but ignoring this common boiler 'red flag

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Strictly's Amanda Abbington breaks silence after 'fight' with Giovanni Pernice

Amanda Abbington has thrown her support behind a BBC Strictly Come Dancing star – amid a ‘bitter row’ with Giovanni Pernice. Abbington took to her Instagram stories on Tuesday, February 8 to congratulate former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Johannes

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'We are sorry': Country road partly closed for sewage cleaning

A water company has partly shut a country road near Bicester while it cleans nearby sewers. Thames Water apologised for the delays caused by the work in Bainton Road in Bucknell which lasts until tomorrow (Friday, February 9). A spokeswoman

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Thief outside church uses HAMMER to smash into car

A 'thief' used a hammer to break into a car outside a village church near Witney, police have said. The suspect is claimed to have smashed the window of the vehicle in the car park of Standlake Church. They made off with “numerous items” in

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PICTURES: Lorry smash-up on M40 leaves Toyota driver injured

Dramatic pictures show the aftermath of a motorway lorry smash which left a driver injured. Fire crews rushed to the M40 after a large goods vehicle hit a car between the Cherwell Valley and Banbury junctions. The crash yesterday (Wednesday

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Apprentice training facility launched for National Apprenticeship Week

A new apprentice training facility has been launched by an electrical and mechanical contractor to mark National Apprenticeship Week. Oxford's Lowe & Oliver has launched the 'centre for excellence' after investing thousands of pounds into its development

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West Oxfordshire council backs four community projects with nearly £30,000

Four projects which will benefit communities across West Oxfordshire are set to receive pledges of a share of almost £30,000. West Oxfordshire District Council has pledged a cumulative sum of £29,416 through their 'Westhive' community crowdfunding

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Town folk consulted on potential 20mph speed limit

Oxfordshire County Council has begun consulting Bicester residents about a potential 20mph speed limit to reduce accidents and promote sustainable travel. This "informal" consultation serves as an opportunity for Bicester's residents to share their

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'A growing problem': Fears over flooding risk at future housing sites

The future of housing in Oxfordshire needs a major rethink due to the increased risk of flooding, experts have warned. Planning professionals have called for a “more thoughtful and joined up approach” to where thousands of new homes are planned

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Firefighters take part in breathing apparatus training

Firefighters from Bicester have taken part in an intense training exercise. The session focused on the importance of using breathing apparatus (BA). The 'BA Shuffle', essential in smoke-filled, disorienting rescue scenarios, was practiced by

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Performing arts students go behind the scenes at Disneyland Paris

A group of performing arts students have travelled to Disneyland Paris for an exceptional opportunity. The 'Behind the Magic' trip let the students from multiple Stagecoach performing arts schools work as if they were Disney cast members. They

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Locals will 'never eat again' at cockroach-infested KFC after £30,000 fine

Locals have said they will never eat at a KFC in Bicester again after the cockroach-infested branch has been ordered to pay a £30,000 fine after being prosecuted by Cherwell District Council. The defendant, franchisee SBR Retail Limited, pleaded

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Exceptional women scientists lead the way in motor neuron disease research

At year's International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the MND Association will be celebrating women leading the research into motor neuron disease (MND) in the UK. The charity supports female researchers at different stages of their careers

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Time is ticking for Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards entries

Businesses, apprentices, and training providers are being encouraged to nominate their work ahead of a deadline for this year’s Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Now in its eighth year, the awards have cemented their place in the county’s business

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Dinosaur Adventure Live brings exciting new show to audiences

A dinosaur show is set to headline the Beacon in Wantage next week. "Dinosaur Adventure Live" is back, now featuring a performance titled "Trouble on Volcano Island". In the expedition, the ancient volcano on Volcano Island becomes active,

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Adventure days at reopened children's playground this half term

A children's playground on the land of a country house is reopening in time for the February half term after its yearly winter closure. Youngsters can once again explore the outdoor playground at Stonor Park's Tumblestone Hollow, complete with

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'Dark, dark thoughts': A look inside alleged killer's mind

A "death-obsessed" woman filmed herself torturing a cat just months before allegedly killing a man in Oxford, a court heard. Scarlet Blake, 25, is accused of murdering Jorge Martin Carreno, 30, as he walked home from a night-out in July 2021.

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How a Netflix series inspired a gruesome cat-killing in Oxford

When Netflix released ‘Don't F**K with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer’ five years ago, the show was an instant hit. The story of murderer and kitten killer Luka Magnotta became one of the streaming platform’s most-watched documentaries in 2019

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Plans for new apartment above town centre nail salon submitted

A planning application to convert the flat above a Didcot nail salon into a one-bedroom apartment has been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council. The application seeks permission to alter the dwelling space into a one-bedroom, duplex

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Cameron Brannagan hopes Jay Matete will allow him to get forward more

CAMERON Brannagan hopes the signing of Jay Matete will allow him to get forward and score more goals for Oxford United. Sunderland midfielder Matete joined the U’s on loan until the end of the season late on January deadline day. He fills a

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'Near misses' at entrance to Oxford University Parks

A warning has been issued over 'near misses' involving pedestrians and delivery vehicles at the University Parks in Oxford. Plans have been submitted to Oxford City Council to create a new path behind South Lodge to boost safety for people enjoying

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Five Cheney Sixth Form students receive offers from Oxford or Cambridge

Five students from a Headington sixth form have received offers from either Cambridge University or Oxford University. Cheney Sixth Form's Alec Stacey's offer is to study Anglo Saxon, Norse, and Celtic studies at Cambridge, while Rachel Goodrich

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Fly fishing club seeks new members ahead of 2024 season

A fishing club is looking to fill several vacancies ahead of the start of the 2024 season. Farmoor Fly Fishing Club, with a limit set at 250 members, has a several open slots due to illnesses among the group. The club is based at Darlow Lake

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Oxford Literary Festival announces partnership with The Telegraph

The Oxford Literary Festival has announced a new media partnership with The Telegraph. The collaboration will see the newspaper’s journalists interviewing authors live on stage during the festival, and will provide special offers and exclusive

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Pancake race returns next week after four year hiatus

After a four year hiatus, Wallingford’s Pancake Day Race will return this year on Tuesday, February 13. The event is taking place between 10am and 12pm in the town centre, at the Market Place. Children and adults are encouraged to join in by Wallingford

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Thame care home throws opening event with residents and special guests

Thame's newest care home has been officially opened with a launch event attended by residents, special guests, and the local community. Cuttlebrook Hall residents Barbara Warner and Jane King joined Mayor of Thame, Councillor Adrian Dite, to cut

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Crowds gather at Radcliffe Camera after killings

Tears were shed as residents gathered outside a famous city landmark today to mark the death of at least 25,000 Palestinians in Gaza. A vigil held by the Oxford and District National Union of Journalists at the Radcliffe Camera highlighted how

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'Embarrassing': Taxpayer money used for council gifts

A mayor splashed out cash from his own pocket following concerns about use of taxpayer money for council Christmas gifts. Woodstock Town Council mayor, Nick Manby-Brown, said it was "depressing that this matter was brought up in open council" on

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MP and Lord Lieutenant wish King Charles well after cancer diagnosis

More well-wishes have been coming in for King Charles following his cancer diagnosis. The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Marjorie Neasham Glasgow BEM, expressed her support saying: "The whole Lieutenancy wish His Majesty the King well. "We

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Around 400 jobs at risk as electric van maker falls into administration

A British electric car and van maker once described as the future of the UK automotive industry has entered into administration putting around 400 jobs at risk. Oxfordshire-based Arrival has announced it has been placed into administration just

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Expert view on deadline day signing Owen Dale

OWEN Dale was Oxford United’s first signing on deadline day, arriving from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee. Dale came through the academy at Crewe Alexandra, and went on to score 15 goals in 109 appearances across all competitions for the Cheshire

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Scales of Justice: The latest cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court

The latest court cases in Oxford Magistrates Court: - MICHELLE BONE, 36, of Launton Road, Bicester, pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving stolen goods, namely a driving licence belonging to someone else, in Oxford on July 21, 2020. She was