Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Essex schoolboys tackle Oxford Blues

A group of Dagenham sixth formers spent a day at Oxford University under the watchful eye of Oxford’s Head of Rugby Steve Hills after starting their own rugby academy.

The 22 pupils from Robert Clack School in Essex had a tour of the city and took part in a training session with Hills before watching the Oxford Blues rugby squad in action.

A decade ago the comprehensive was struggling with only 16 per cent of pupils leaving with five or more GCSEs at A* to C but that has now risen to 82 per cent, with the academy launched last year for talented students to carry on during their A-Levels.

Dave Maudsley, the school’s academy manager, said: “It shows the boys they have a choice.

"They’re from a poor area but their day at Oxford has shown them that even if they have a different background, these boys are young men just like them.

"We want them to realise they can come to places like Oxford to study.

“Rugby has influenced them positively – the school has turned around and two years ago we were voted the best state school for sport.

"The boys thought it might be boring to visit Oxford but it’s been aspirational and some have even asked how they get application forms.”

Steve Hill said: “By bringing boys from a Dagenham Comprehensive school here we are hopefully breaking down some of the perceived barriers that exist when people think about applying to Oxford University.

“By having me and some of the Blues' players coach the lads they can see the high standards required if you are to play in the Varsity Match.’

One pupil, Charlie Allen, said: “I learnt a lot about how to fit in my studies with my rugby and I’ve been inspired to get home and get on with my coursework so I can get into somewhere like Oxford.”

Abingdon clean air zone to expand?

Homes in Ock Street and Marcham Road could be included in an expanded Abingdon town centre air quality management area (AQMA).

Vale of White Horse District Council is consulting residents about the proposal, after tests showed levels of nitrogen dioxide are higher than the national standards in Marcham Road, and close to exceeding the standard in Ock Street.

The council declared the town centre an AQMA in 2006 because of high levels of nitrogen dioxide from traffic.

Last year it produced an action plan for reducing the levels, which included possibly extending the management area.

Cllr Angela Lawrence, Executive Member with responsibility for environmental health, said: “We already have a plan to try and tackle this problem, and it may well be that the solutions in the plan have an effect in Ock Street and Marcham Road. Nonetheless we have a duty to explore extending the area and I would urge residents to let us know what they think.”

Nitrogen dioxide may exacerbate asthma and increase susceptibility to infections, and when exposed to sunlight it can react with hydrocarbons to produce pollutants like ozone. It can also be converted to nitric acid, which contributes to acid rain.

For more details, visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Monday, 9 November 2009

Charity quiz night @ The Duke's Cut, November 10

Recruitment firm Hays is hosting a quiz night to raise money for charity Action for Children on Tuesday, November 10.

The event, at The Duke’s Cut, in Park End Street, Oxford, kicks off at 7pm and staff hope to raise more than £300 for the charity.

Action for Children is one of the UK's largest children's charities working with more than 156,000 children, young people and their families at around 420 projects across the UK.

Catriona Jamieson, a consultant at Hays, said: “Local events like this along with individual efforts help us reach our fundraising target.

"We are proud to support such a fantastic charity and will continue to raise money locally and involve the support of the community where ever possible.”

print exhibition @ Dorchester Abbey

A major exhibition of artists’ prints is being held at Dorchester Abbey from November 6 to 15.

The event, which includes work by printmakers from the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative and Bath Artist Printmakers, also offers a rare opportunity to see John Piper’s magnificent painting of Dorchester Abbey.

More than 100 framed prints will be available for purchase, with many more unframed prints, at a range of prices from around £50 to £500.

Also on public display, for the first time in more than 30 years, will be Piper’s superb mixed-media painting of Dorchester Abbey, donated to the Abbey by Piper himself.

John Piper (1903-1992) is regarded by many as the finest twentieth-century painter of the British landscape and its architecture.

The exhibition takes place at the Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, High Street, Dorchester on Thames from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 15.

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Port Mahon re-opens under new owners

The once popular Port Mahon pub in St Clements has been re-opened after being closed for several months by new owners Nick Bassett and Joe Hill.

Bucking the trend of pub closures, the venue has undergone extensive re-decoration and one of the two bar areas has been turned into a Sports Bar with TV screens and Sky Sports.

The new landlords are also revitalising the renowned Port Mahon music room infamous within student circles over the years, and hope to present a variety of local bands.

Nick & Joe took over The Fir Tree pub in Iffley Road two years ago, and hope to make the Port a firm favourite with the local population and students, especially with Brookes University being just up the road.

Thursday, 22 October 2009

Dirty Nails Book-Signing, Waterstones Oxford, Oct 25

Writer and gardener Joe Hashman aka Dirty Nails will be signing copies of his new book On The Plot With Dirty Nails at Waterstone’s in Broad, Street, Oxford, on Sunday, October 25, from 11am to 2pm.

The green-fingered, Dorset-based writer, best known for his column in the Blackmore Vale Magazine, has produced a step-by-step guide for ensuring healthy crops all year round at the allotment and in the greenhouse.

On the Plot with Dirty Nails is published by Spring Hill, an imprint of How To Books Ltd (www.howtobooks.co.uk) and is available at £12.99 in major bookshops and online retailers

Face your eight-legged fears

Cotswold Wildlife Park launching its first ever Feeling Calm with Spiders course on Saturday, October 31.

Aimed at people with a phobia of spiders and hosted by hypnotherapist Pippa Shay, the three-hour session aims to dispel myths about spiders and teach techniques to help people remain calm and in control around them.

There will also be an opportunity to get up close to some of the Park’s spiders for those brave enough.

Hypnotherapist Pippa Shay said: “So many people are scared of spiders and, with an influx of them this year, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to let go of old thoughts and feelings and go from fear to freedom.

“We’ll work at a pace everyone’s comfortable with, so no-one needs to do anything they don’t want to.

“No-one will even have to see a spider before they’re happy to. I’m delighted to
be working with Cotswold Wildlife Park to help people become comfortable and calm around spiders.”

For more information visit www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Radcliffe Infirmary to host music soundscape

The Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford is to host a special sound project by Berlin-based artist Susan Philipsz.

Titled You Are Not Alone, Philipsz has recorded 1920s and 30s radio interval signals from around the world on vibraphone that will be broadcast from four FM transmitters at Modern Art Oxford to receivers at the 18th century observatory, at Green Templeton College.

From October 31 to December 3, visitors will hear the music at speakers throughout the Observatory.

Modern Art Oxford commissioned the work, and director Michael Stanley said: “We are really excited by the possibilities that this special commission at the Radcliffe Observatory presents.

"Not only does it allow the artist the opportunity to work within a unique space, but it also allows rare public access to one of the most iconic historical landmarks in Oxford.”

Green Templeton College Principal Dr Colin Bundy said: “Locating a thought-provoking contemporary art installation in the 18th century Observatory tower makes for an intriguing juxtaposition.

"The neo-classical Observatory stands at the heart of the College, and we are hugely excited to host Susan Phillipsz’ installation in the building.

"We believe it underlines Green Templeton’s distinctive identity - as Oxford's newest graduate college, actively engaging with the outside world.”

For more information, visit www.modernartoxford.org.uk or call 01865 722733.

Wolvercote Viaduct shut overnight October 23 and 24

The A40 is to be closed overnight on Friday and Saturday (October 23 and 24) as part of the Wolvercote Viaduct replacement scheme for demolition of the old southbound carriageway.

The road will be shut between Wolvercote Roundabout and Cassington between 10pm Friday night and 6.30am Saturday morning, and from 10am on Saturday to 7am on Sunday morning.

The road could also be shut overnight on Sunday, October between 10am and 5.30am, if necessary.

The cycle footpaths next to the A40 will also be closed. A shuttle vehicle will be deployed to transport cyclists and pedestrians around the diversion in the event of delays.

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Fight Hunger by dining out this October

Until the end of October, The Mission Mexican restaurant in Oxford is inviting diners to eat out in aid of Action Against Hunger.

The restaurant, which has branches in St Michael’s Street and King Edward’s Street, will donate 50p from each sale of its guest menu to the campaign, which helps malnourished children and their families in more than 40 countries.

“This is an extremely worthwhile campaign, with funds going towards addressing the immediate needs of people when food is in short supply.

"The work carried out to help families with the tools they need to start growing their own food is invaluable, and by donating a percentage from sales of our special menu items, we can contribute much needed money to the cause,” said owner Sharon Rasmussen.

For more information visit www.missionburritos.co.uk

Buttercross Needle installed at Marriotts Walk

A public art centrepiece for Witney's new leisure and retail development Marriotts Walk was installed earlier this month.

Designed and created by sculptor and public artist Michael Fairfax (pictured), the ‘Buttercross Needle’ has been commissioned by West Oxfordshire District Council and funded by the developers, the Simons Group.

Using modern materials of predominantly stainless steel and glass, the interior houses fibre optic lights, which will illuminate at night through slender strips of glass.

A floor mosaic was also commissioned as public art and this is at the Welch Way entrance to Marriotts Walk. Created by specialist mosaic artist, Rob Turner, the mosaic represents a more traditional style. Made up of 32 sections it captures key points in West Oxfordshire's commercial history.

West Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member councillor Warwick Robinson said: “Both pieces complement the development and the town as a whole. The mosaic reflects the traditional style of the Welch Way elevation of Marriotts Walk in traditional materials of natural stone, brick and render, as well as depicting the district’s heritage.

“Although the ‘Buttercross Needle’ is very modern, its design references well-known local landmarks such as the spire of St Mary’s Church in Church Green and the roof of the Buttercross.”

Vale of White Horse councillor joins criticism of court closure

Jenny Hannaby, Vale of White Horse District Councillor for Wantage Segsbury Ward, has spoken out against the proposed closure of Wantage Magistrates' Court.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Justice announced proposals to shut the court, leaving south Oxfordshire residents with just one working court in Didcot.

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has already criticised the plans, and coun Hannaby said: “I am disappointed that another local facility is under threat in Wantage, especially one that I would consider to be perfectly fit for purpose.

"I am anxious to see the proposals to find out exactly how our residents may be affected.”

The court has been little used since the turn of the year, with most cases heard at Didcot, which received a £1m-plus upgrade several years ago.

Wantage is one of 20 courts proposed for closure in England described by Justice Minister Jack Straw as "underused and inadequate".

Oxford family dance event, November 1

Oxford’s family dance experience takes place at Oxford Town Hall on Sunday, November 1.

Expert dance tutors will be helping teach a range of styles and there will also be performances by two of Oxford’s most popular dance companies – Crossover Intergenerational Dance Company and Hip Hop dance troupe Messy Jam.

The event, which is aimed at the whole family, runs from 10am to 3pm, with a number of workshops available.

To book tickets contact Pegasus Theatre Box Office on 01865 792209 or visit www.pegasustheatre.org.uk

Oxford MP to listen to OAPs at special meeting

Oxford MP Andrew Smith is to meet some of the city’s older residents at a listening event organized by Age Concern Oxfordshire.

The MP will speak to older people at the Town Hall, in St Aldates, on Friday (October 23) from 10am to noon.

The event is one of a number happening across the country so people can have their say on how the care system can be improved ahead of proposed Govt reforms.

Paul Cann, Chief Executive of Age Concern Oxfordshire, said: “People are fed up with fighting to get the care they need in later life, either for themselves or for their loved ones. The call for action from older people and their families is loud, clear and unified.”

Abstract works a part of Art in Woodstock Festival

The Creative Art Gallery in Woodstock is exhibiting a mix of unseen and new abstract works as part of this year’s Art in Woodstock Festival, which runs from October 24 to November 1.

International renowned artist Barbara Delaney, George Taylor and Martyn Brown all have pieces in the Fuse exhibition at the gallery in Oxford Street, which is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Sundays, from 11am to 5pm.

Barbara Delaney’s work is concerned with geometric shapes, the fusing of these universal shapes, the fusing of drawing and painting and the cross over between these two ideals in order to represent not what she sees, not the thing itself, but effect on her, the effect on the atmosphere and sense around the her.

“Painting, to me, means life and communication. In abstraction, I try to reach the essence of a sensation – be it the joy of dynamic colour/movement, or the calm spiritual contemplation,” Barbara said.

For more information, call the gallery on 01993 810 084 or visit www.creativeartgallery.co.uk

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

New north Oxfordshire Job Club website to be launched

Cherwell District Council is launching a job club website to build on the success of job clubs schemes in Bicester and Banbury.

The website will be formally launched on Friday, October 16, at the Bicester Job Club by north Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry, who helped pioneer the scheme in the county.

Baldry has personally written to every business in his constituency encouraging them to take advantage of what the Job Club has to offer local businesses.

He said: “Local businesses can email in their job vacancies and the Banbury and Bicester Job Clubs will promote them on the website for free. Or they can come along to the Job Club and promote their vacancies in person.”

"The intention," he said, "is to make sure that any local job available is filled as quickly as possible by someone local.”

Cherwell District Council portfolio holder for economic development and estates, Cllr Norman Bolster, added: "This is a new string to the job club's bow - a "virtual" job club that is set to offer job seekers and employers alike a new way to connect with each other."

For more details of the Job Clubs visit the website www.cherwell.gov.uk/jobclubs

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey criticises proposals to shut town court

Ed Vaizey MP has come out against plans announced today by Jack Straw to close Wantage's magistrates court.

The Ministry of Justice has published a shortlist of 20 court's in England that it wants to close down including the Wantage court, with all cases in the south of the county to be held in Didcot.

The court, described as "underused and inadequate" by the government department, has been rarely used since December 2008, with Jack Straw saying: "“I do not believe it would provide good value for money to bring these buildings up to the required standard at the taxpayers’ expense.”

Closing the court would save the Ministry around £45,000 per year.

However MP Vaizey said: "“I am extremely concerned that we are losing our magistrates court.

"This is another example of the run down of local services, and a reflection of the lenient sentences that the Government is encouraging.”

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

Nicola Blackwood PPC: Live from Manchester

Nicola Blackwood is the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Abingdon & Oxford West.

This week she was at the Tory party conference in Manchester, and kept a diary of her hectic schedule.

If you've ever wondered what actually goes on at these events, here is her take on the lead up to the conference, and the first day.

Nicola Reports Back…

Sunday:

11.45am Interview with Adam Boulton at the Sky Studios in West London (I wagged my finger at him – not sure that’s the best way to get on in this game!). The main story on the agenda was Ireland’s yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty – would it derail the Party Conference.

I didn’t think so then and I don’t think so now. David Cameron has been clear: we want a referendum and we appeal to Labour to live up to their Manifesto commitment and hold one now. If we get into power before the Treaty is in force then we will hold a referendum and recommend a ‘No’ vote. If on the other hand it is in force – and there are still two countries to go yet so this is still very much an ‘if’ – then it’s a whole different kettle of fish.

All sorts of complex rules of International Treaty Law come into pass and it might not even be legal to hold a referendum. The key point though is that we don’t want it and if it’s in force we’ll not be satisfied just to let it slide. This is a hugely important issue for Britain but it’s not the only issue – Unemployment, pensions, overregulation of business, over-bureacratised NHS, the list could go on forever.

Before Conference started, David Cameron said ‘we won’t be playing it safe – instead we will be offering bold plans to deal with the big problems the country faces.’ It would be unforgiveable if we spent this conference talking about nothing but Europe – we’d be as bad as Labour then, who seemed to think the point of their Conference was just to talk to their membership.

1pm Got back to Oxford to grab some lunch and pack. I am congenitally incapable of packing light but got it down to a suitcase the size of a small elephant. Then off to Manchester in the trusty Prius. And the M40 was closed – those more conspiratorial might think it was part of a Labour plot to stop those from the South getting there…!

Then I got well and truly Sat-Navved and took the most extraordinary route and added an hour and a half to my journey. Still I got there in the end and did pass the most stunning countryside on that sunny evening.

11.50pm Radio Five Live with Steve Nolan in Manchester. Nolan and I on slightly different political planes but it was good fun getting down to it. Europe again, of course. I know we live in an age of instant media want an answer now but one thing at a time.

Personally, I’d rather David took time to find the right answer than just took some populist position that might not be able to honour in the long term. If we want our politicians to be honest we can’t berate them for actually being responsible and not just giving a completely unworkable plan.

Monday:

8am Roundtable hosted by the National Federation of Housing. The discussion was about the problems villages face when there isn’t enough affordable housing and that can lead to post office, local shop even the local school closing and gradually the community just dies.

Grant Shapps, Shadow Housing Minister, was speaking and he had some exciting things to say about Local Housing Trusts which will give the power to a village to decide about their own housing. The scrambled eggs were good too.

10am to 3pm Various meetings with other PPCs, charities and organizations about everything from palliative care to the future of Iran. There is such a lot of information to absorb at conference that it tends to all blur together after a while – it’s very important to remember to take a business card.

At 11.15 the main session was on transparency and accountability for politics and politicians. Of all the voters I meet, the ones I worry about the most are those who have just given up on politics. They don’t use their vote, not because they are irresponsibe, or uneducated or protesting but because they have don’t have any hope that it will make the slightest bit of difference to anything.

But without hope you can’t change anything – why would you work for something you don’t believe is possible? And nothing has contributed more to this disillusionment that the complete loss of trust in politics and politicians that followed the expenses scandal. I’m not interested in empty promises. I want to see clear lines of responsibility and open decision making.

3.45pm NHS session in the main hall, I’m really pleased to hear Andrew Lansley, Shadow Health Secretary, talking about protecting frontline services and cutting back on bureaucracy. I think if we’ve learnt one lesson from the last few years it’s that it’s not just how much you spend but how you spend it that counts. Labour’s investment in public services has not been met with either sensible or sufficient reform and the cracks are beginning to show.

5.30pm Speaking with Director of Amnesty UK and David Lidington (Shadow Minister for Human Rights) about Foreign Policy and Human Rights in 21st Century. The room was packed and Tony Baldry (who was chairing) decided to ask me to speak on something completely different than I had prepared.

Still I suppose it was spontaneous… Some of the main issues that came up were the need to be consistent about speaking up against Human Rights abuses in all countries – our friends as well as our enemies. It’s the only way you can be credible. Also important was the recognition that aid and human rights are just the other side of the coin of security and you seldom have one without the other, or not for long anyway.

8pm Hotel to write this and prepare for tomorrow. I have an interview with Malcolm on BBC Radio Oxford at 8am (another early start!) then on to a photo shoot to support the British Legion’s campaign to help Armed Forces Families. I shall be challenging Greg Clark on his plans to get the Green Economy really up and running. I will be meeting with Help the Aged to discuss their views about George Osborne’s plans to raise the retirement age to 66.

PS…

I’ve just seen a copy of the proposals to ‘Get Britain Working’ that will be announced on Tuesday and they have brought joy to my heart. They are a detailed, fully-costed plan to deal with the current jobs crisis (you can find them on www.conservatives.con).

With over 27 per cent of 18-24 year olds now on Job Seekers Allowance in Oxfordshire, for many, Labour have become the party of unemployment – it’s up to us to show those who have suffered the most in this recession that they are not abandoned, that we have a plan and that we are the party of new jobs and new opportunities – we have got to give them back some hope for the future.

A big part of fixing the Economy though, has to be dealing with Labour’s spiraling National Debt. This is only going to be done by taking tough decisions and, crucially, be open and straightforward about them. Whoever wins the next election will have to do difficult and unpopular things at times and we are not going to forgive a Government that ducks the question now in the hope they can hang onto power longer. It’s time the British public were treated like adults.

They know that this Labour Government has run out of money and that something must be done. And while we can’t have all the answers at once – it’s still too far out from an election for that – it is a great boost that the NHS budget will be protected. With an aging population and huge medical expertise in Oxfordshire, this position could not be more welcome.

The impression so many of us were left with after Labour’s conference was that they have just run out of energy, not to mention ideas. It seemed that at a time when so many in the country are suffering, Labour spent their conference talking only to themselves - not the country. We need change.

For someone who put her hand up to part of this campaign when pretty much everyone said I was mad, this week has been a huge relief. I can come back to Oxford West & Abingdon confident in my decision to support David Cameron as leader and more convinced than ever that he has it in him to be a great PM.

This week could have been completely derailed by the Lisbon Treaty, by too high expectations, or by any of those frivolous stories that tend to get in the way of real debate at party conferences. Instead what I have seen is a Conservative Party united, determined and ready to deliver the bold, tough and radical change Britain needs.

Nicola Blackwood Picture: copyright Rex Features

Henley Literary Festival, October 2 to 4

The Journal sent roving reporter David Sarjent along to this year's Henley Literary Festival to mix with the stars, ask the tough questions and breath in the heady mix of freshly printed pages.

In just its third year, the Henley event sold more than 8,000 tickets to around 70 events as punters flocked to see famous authors and TV personalities, including Irvine Welsh, Jeremy Paxman and Gyles Brandreth.

Here are some of his highlights from the celebrity authors he caught up with during the festival.

David first caught up with intrepid explorer/TV presenter Ben Fogle. Interviewed about his experiences in Antarctica for BBC 2’s TV documentary series “On Thin Ice”, TV presenter Ben Fogle explained: “It’s an extraordinary place. It’s haunting and it’s tough.

"It’s one of the last great wildernesses on earth, and we were extraordinary lucky to have the opportunity to not only set foot on the continent but to also take part in one of the first contemporary races to the South Pole.”

Popular TV adventurer and motorcycle enthusiast Charley Boorman, who suffered an earthquake in Japan on August 10 while filming his latest TV series “Charley Boorman: Sydney to Tokyo By Any Means”, was asked about his experiences while filming “Long Way Down”, the series he made with Ewan McGregor.

Regarding his visit to Ethiopia and the border with Eritrea, he said: “One of the big problems with the governments out there is that they start marking out their territory with landmines and then forget where they’ve put them.

"Some people lay booby traps outside houses, and even around prickly pear bushes because they know children will look there. These booby traps don’t kill, they maim, and it’s obscene.

"The children are the innocent party. It’s devastating, and it’s left up to charities to clean up the mess, as the governments won’t do it. It’s very sad.”

Former Daily Telegraph editor Sir Max Hastings who signed copies of his book “Churchill Unveiled” was asked for his comparisons between the war time leader and Conservative party boss Margaret Thatcher.

He told the Oxford Journal: “In the Falklands War, Margaret Thatcher displayed the same sort of iron determination and commitment that Churchill did during World War II. Most of us consider that while Churchill was our greatest war leader, Thatcher was our greatest peacetime Prime Minister.

"If she had been alive in World War II, I think she could have been a remarkable war leader in those days too.”

Last but by no means least, film director Michael Winner who attended the festival with his colourful autobiography “Winner Takes All”, was asked by the Oxford Journal if his 1974 film “Death Wish” foretold current anti-social problems regarding feral youths.

He said: “It prophesied a situation where the normal law and order forces could not cope, and citizens would have to dish out justice for themselves. In 1974, New York was the mugging capital of the world.

"That violence which we arrogantly saw as an American problem has now spread here.”

Why is his monkey on his shoulder?

A question we all want answered, I’m sure.

Oddly-named Scottish whisky company Monkey Shoulder are holding a future-themed ‘Evolution’ party at Raoul’s Bar in Walton Street, Oxford, on Wednesday, October 14, from 7pm.

What exactly will be futuristic about it I don’t know, as you still drink whisky orally as far as I am aware, just as people have…for centuries.

Nevertheless, the press release promises a look at ‘Molecular Mixology’, so to book your place and receive two free drinks at the party visit www.monkeyshoulder.com

It’s probably all to do with whisky nano-bots, or something.

Lamb's Spiced Rum Autumn Garden Party @ The House

When I was 13 a friend and I liberated a bottle of rum from his dad’s drinks cabinet and quickly necked half each in the woods by his house.

Several hours later I abandoned his semi-comatose body on his parents’ doorstep, rang the bell and staggered away.

Needless to say, my parents were less than impressed with me proceeding to spend two days in bed with alcoholic poisoning, and grounded me for several days. Ho hum. Such are the vagaries of life.

Even less impressed were my friend’s parents, who opened the door to their beloved teenage son only for him to gravely insult an innocent visiting neighbour before throwing up everywhere and having to be carted off to hospital to have his stomach pumped.

That was my first and last experience with rum, which I still can’t bring myself to drink, or even smell, without feeling nauseous.

You, however, might like the vile stuff. If so, trot along to The House in Blue Boar Street, Oxford, from 7pm on Thursday, October 15.

The House is hosting Lamb’s Spiced Rum Autumn Garden Party. There will be all sorts of rum cocktails, pampering from the ‘Gecko Girls’, whoever they might be, the chance to get intricate “tribal tattoos” and a cocktail competition with cash prizes for the best concoction.

Entry is free.

Stratfield Brake family day a tree-mendous success

On Saturday, October 3, the Woodland Trust hosted a free family day at Stratfield Brake woods near Kidlington, with over 120 locals attending.

Activities included willow weaving, making clay faces on trees, a scavenger hunt, wetland wildlife spotting, giant colouring wall and a magical storyteller, as well as a BBQ of locally sourced produce.

The Trust’s James Luxton said: “Such a large turnout just goes to show how the local community have a real affinity with our site at Stratfield, we’ve been working really hard to make sure that people can get the most out of the woods.

“Saturday’s events were a great example of how a local woodland can engage a large number of people and help them understand the importance of woods that are right on their doorstep.”

A large swathe of young trees planted 10 years ago is now emerging at the wood, which sits next to grazed pasture land and a large wetland project created in partnership with the Environment Agency.