July

ISSUE 174

JULY 2016

www.livinginoxford.com - No.1 for What’s On In Oxford

Summer of Shakespeare with Creation Theatre See page 06 Also inside: Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Series and Piano Festival 6,500 copies printed every month since 2002

/inoxford The Official What’s On Guide of Experience Oxfordshire

@inoxford

Supporting Shakespeare Oxford 2016

Welcome to Living in Oxford Welcome to the July edition of Living in Oxford.

July..really? We are surely due a break in the weather and it can’t come soon enough with Creation Theatre celebrating the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and their 20th birthday with two spell-binding performances of Hamlet in University Parks and a rather different production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream….read more inside. Congratulations to Creation on their milestone this year and with 60 fantastic productions under their belt and over 500,000 satisfied guests, you really can’t go wrong when it comes to Creation.

If you’re musically inclined you have a feast of events lined up for July, including an excellent programme from Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. You won’t be stuck for something to do out and about in Oxfordshire this month. Visit the charming Antiques on High in High Street, Oxford, or take a tour of Wychwood Brewery in Witney. Dine out at the fabulous Malmaison at Oxford Castle Quarter or enjoy the brilliant new bar and menu at Quod. If after that you need some personal pampering, visit the sanctuary of the Macdonald Randolph Hotel spa.

Fingers crossed for a hot and steamy July.

Richard Rosser Editor, Living In Oxford Magazine

Contents Oxfordshire Events

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Oxfordshire Shopping

32

Oxfordshire Education

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Oxford City Centre Map

36

Oxfordshire Attractions

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Oxfordshire Sports

39

Oxfordshire Theatre

18

Oxfordshire Restaurants

40

Oxfordshire Music

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Oxfordshire Cinema

51

Oxfordshire Art & Antiques

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Oxfordshire Health & Beauty

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Oxfordshire Accommodation

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Oxfordshire Services

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The Living in Oxford Team

Richard Rosser

Jessica Palmer

Colin Rosser

Lorna Dodson

Editor

Accounts

Chairman

Operations Manager

Keith Simpson

Sue Rosser

Rob Scotcher

Emma Davis

Designer

Vouch & R&R

Designer

Designer

Talk to us!

FB: facebook.com/inoxford TW: twitter.com/inoxford Email: info@inoxford.com Advertising: If you’d like to advertise with Living In Oxford Magazine or any of its sister publications please call Richard on 01865 742211 or email enquiries@designs-on.co.uk Subscriptions: If you have difficulty obtaining your copy of Living In Oxford we can mail you a copy each month at £25.00 per annum. Please call us on 01865 742211 or Email us: admin@inoxford.com Stocking Living In Oxford Magazine, Distribution Services: To find out about receiving copies of Living In Oxford Magazine or becoming an outlet, please call Richard on 01865 742211 or Email: admin@inoxford.com Contact: Living In Oxford Magazine, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford OX3 0BT Tel: 01865 742211 Fax: 01865 741391 Email: admin@inoxford.com Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate and correct in every way, the publishers cannot be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracies or errors within the publication. Information reproduced from this publication is permitted with the express permission of the publisher and the advertiser, where relevant. All information is correct at time of going to press.

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Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

In this issue of Living in Oxford...

Summer of Shakespeare

06

"Creation Theatre is Oxfordshire’s largest producing theatre company and 2016 marks their 20th birthday...in celebration of their birthday and the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, they’ve got a jam-packed year of Shakespeare shows planned. "

Antiques on High

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“Voted Oxfordshire’s Favourite Gallery in the 2016 Living in Oxford Awards, Antiques on High is a destination for anyone who loves art and antiques."

Wychwood Brewery Tour

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“No two Wychwood Brewery tours are the same, there being nine different part-time tour guides, each with their own specialist background. ”

• Malmaison, Oxford

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• All Change at Quod

50

• Sanctuary at Macdonald Randolph Hotel

54

Interested in reading more of our reviews?

Just visit livinginoxford.com Your Guide To The City www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxford Brookes Centre for Sport

JOIN THE GYM BROOKES SPORT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS, STAFF AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ACROSS ALL THREE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES. JOIN TODAY TO MAKE THE MOST OF THESE GREAT FEATURES AND MORE:

• Gym • Health Suite • Free weights conditioning room • Climbing wall • Swimming Pool • Steam room and Sauna • Physiotherapy clinic • Racquet Sports • Café and Sports Bar

It couldn’t be simpler to join the gym – Sign up online at

www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport

or call 01865 484373

Plans start from £12.99 a month.

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Oxfordshire Events Calendar 2016 A quick overview of events to look forward to. For a full list of what’s going on in Oxford and Oxfordshire, see the website! www.livinginoxford.com

Alice’s Day Saturday 2nd July: The Story Museum celebrates story and storytelling in all its forms, sharing enjoyable ways for young people to learn through stories as they grow. Join Alice, the Mad Hatter and friends for a scroobious celebration. Nonsense is the word this year, with brillig happenings at historic and world-class locations. Dress up, bring a picnic! www.storymuseum.org.uk/alice

Bark in the Park Sunday 3rd July: You are invited to join us for a fun afternoon in People’s Park celebrating dogs in particular and other four legged pets at 1.30pm.

Admission is free and it will be a great opportunity for families to have a day out with their pets. For more information, please call 01295 250340. www.banbury.gov.uk

Cornbury Music Festival Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July: The Cornbury Music Festival is one-of-akind: a lovingly crafted, top notch, very English open air party, tailor-made for the whole family. In short, The Cornbury Music Festival represents classic summer entertainment for a friendly crowd from all walks of life. A country fair with a rock ‘n’ roll twist; a farmers’ market with a dancefloor; a local carnival with a classic contemporary soundtrack. www.cornburyfestival.com

Cowley Road Carnival Sunday 10th July: Cowley Road Works is the charity which organises Cowley Road Carnival. Carnival is Oxford’s largest community event.

Highlights include a procession of schools and community groups on Cowley Road, live music, street performances, world cuisine and familyfriendly activities. www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk

Wilderness Festival Monday 8th - Thursday 11th August: Wilderness Festival is in its essence a celebration of the outdoors, based under the canopies and parkland of Cornbury Deer Park. Live Music & Dancing, Feasts & Gastronomy, Theatre de Rue & Cirque Traditionnel, Late Night Revelry, Tented Theatre & Promenade Performances, Debating Halls and Family Magic & Games. www.wildernessfestival.com

Foodies Festival 2nd - 4th September: Feast in the Street Food Avenue; learn to bake in the Cake and Bake Theatre; enjoy afternoon tea in the Vintage Tea Tent; taste wine, champagne and craft beer in the Drinks Theatre; buy from local producers in the Artisan Market; kids enjoy the Childrens Cookery Theatre; live music on the Unsigned Music Awards Stage and much more. www.foodiesfestival.com

Ghost Fest October - November: The award-winning Ghost Fest returns for the eighth year with its most thrilling line-up yet, including ghost hunts, spooky tours, trick or treating and After Dark Dinners. Oxford Castle Unlocked is a 1000year castle, which was also used as a place of incarceration for over 800 years. www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

www.livinginoxford.com

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Lead Article:

Summer of Shakespeare Creation Theatre is Oxfordshire’s largest producing theatre company and 2016 marks their 20th birthday. Over the last 20 years, Creation has created 60 shows and performed to over half a million audience members. They’re known for their quirky and creative adaptations performed in many of Oxford's finest spaces from colleges to castles, and even the basement of Blackwell’s Bookshop, to name but a few.

In celebration of their birthday and the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, they’ve got a jam-packed year of Shakespeare shows planned.

Lucy Askew, Chief Executive of Creation Theatre explains “We’re teaming up blockbuster titles, brand new venues and vintage Creation directors to bring you the very best of Shakespeare in Oxford this summer".

From 13 July – 13 August, Creation will be bringing their trademark openair Shakespeare to Oxford with Hamlet at University Parks. Creation's cast of six will transform the beautiful riverside parkland into Elsinore Castle for this new take on Shakespeare's anarchic tragedy. The production sees the return of director Gari Jones to Shakespeare, after two triumphant Christmas shows at The North Wall. Lucy Askew comments “Gari’s eccentric, raucous style is right up our street and we know he’ll present the freshest and most exciting version of Hamlet possible”. With rumours of a scorching summer, Hamlet is set to take audiences by storm so bring a picnic, relax in the beautiful parks and enjoy some of Oxford’s finest theatre this summer.

And there's more where that came from! Creation will also be treating audiences to something extra special this summer...Part treasure hunt, part quest and just a little bit Crystal Maze, they'll be taking to the streets for their wild adventure version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lucy Askew comments "It's unlike any show in the last 20 years. Maybe you'll walk into a shop and see Puck behind the scenes, or discover a projection of fairies inside an old shed. Anything is possible...." As guests at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta, audiences will meet in groups of 10 at a secret location, follow clues and discover the fairies' mischief...With performances from 23 June - 30 July, this is sure to be the hottest ticket in town this summer, so be quick if you want to get in on the action.

To book, visit www.creationtheatre.co.uk or call the Creation Box Office on 01865 766266.

“Creation Theatre Company’s performances always hit the mark” - The Guardian “If you’re a visitor in Oxford and you only have time for one cultural experience, make it this” - The Oxford Times

Tel: 01865 766266 Web: www.creationtheatre.co.uk www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Events The Oxfordshire Museum Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN. Tel: 01993 811456. Web: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshiremuseum

Oxfordshire in 50 Objects Until Sunday 11th September: Celebrating Oxfordshire Museums Service’s half century, every object tells a unique story. Chosen by community groups and members of the Service past and present, this exhibition showcases Oxfordshire’s rich heritage through the memories, experiences and interests of people from across the county. Explore the objects and their stories through film and hands on activities for the whole family! Admission: Free

School Holiday Family Fun Lots to do whatever the weather: Groovy Sue (Thursdays): Bunting making activity every Thursday in summer school holidays.

Time: 11am - 2pm. Admission: Free Family drop-ins (Tuesdays & Thursdays): Fun and creative activities. Suitable for all ages.

Time: 2pm - 4pm. Admission: No booking required, £2 per child.

TOM Tots (Tuesdays): During school holidays Under 5s’ session with music, stories and rhymes.

Time: 10.30am - 11am. Admission: No booking required, £1.50 per family. * Family activities programme supported by the Friends of The Oxfordshire Museum Please visit: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/museums

Oxford Castle Unlocked 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY. Tel: 01865 260666 Web: www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

Taming of The Shrew Until Saturday 2nd July: Set in its original Tudor setting, against the beautiful backdrop of Oxford Castle, this promises to be a show you don’t want to miss this summer. Price: £15, Concessions: £13

Much Ado About Nothing Monday 4th July - Saturday 16th July: Following their critically acclaimed and sell-out performance runs of Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, Tomahawk Theatre returns to the Oxford Castle Unlocked castleyard for Shakespeare’s tale of love and loyalty.

Price: £15, Concessions: £13

Kids go Half Price!

Monday 18th July – Saturday 30th July: With its third production at Oxford Castle, and its second summer show in conjunction with Oxford Castle Unlocked and the Oxford Shakespeare Festival, Siege Theatre are delighted to be bringing The Tempest to audiences in 2016. After the devastating and bloody epic that was Titus Andronicus, this year the team have set their sights on the intimate, personal and prophetic portrayal of a man cast aside by his society. Price: £15, Concessions: £13

Bitten Street Web: bittenoxford.co.uk Twitter: @BittenOxford Facebook: /bittenoxford

Street Food Market Saturday 2nd July: We’re back at Oxford Castle with our usual outdoor market from 11am - 3pm. Giving you all the things you love - brilliant and exciting traders, on rotation each week to keep it interesting, plus wonderful local craft beers at our new outdoor Bitten Bar. See the full list of events on our Facebook page.

Oxford Food & Drink Festival Sunday 17th July: The inaugural Oxford Food & Drink Festival launches this year, with the aim of showcasing the best food and drink our city and county have to offer. The Oxford Food & Drink Festival will have something for everyone with an interest in food and where it comes from.

Time: 11am - 4pm, Venue: Oxford City Centre

Interested in reading more Event listings?

Just visit livinginoxford.com Your Guide To The City 8

Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

Pitt Rivers Museum South parks Road Oxford, OX1 3PP Tel: 01865 270927 Web: www.prm.ox.ac.uk

“Dressed as a New Zealander” Until 3rd July: This temporary display highlights an original print by Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), a photograph of eight-year-old Ella Monier-Williams ‘Dressed as a New Zealander’, taken in Oxford in July 1866 and recently acquired by the Museum.

After Hours Guided Tours Thursday 14th July: An after-hours exclusive guided tour of the Museum, where you will be taken around by one of our expert guides (max per group 15 people) and then browse the Museum at your leisure away from the busy daily crowds. Time: 5.30pm - 7pm, Price: £10

Film screening: The Battle of the Somme Saturday 16th July: A special screening to mark one hundred years since one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Shot and screened in 1916, this UNESCO-listed film was the first feature length documentary about war. Upon release it was watched by around 20 million people, nearly half of Britain’s population, hoping to see a loved-one captured on film. Time: 2.30pm - 4pm

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Oxford Tel: Maya Sprigg 01869 278600.

Web: www.stagecoach.co.uk/oxford Email: oxford@stagecoach.co.uk We provide quality part-time training in the performing arts for children aged 4-18yrs. Our aim is to nurture and develop young potential through singing, acting and dance classes in Oxford, stretching young imaginations and building confidence. We provide the right combination of learning and performing, with opportunities for all ages. Open every weekend during term time and workshops during the school holidays, come join the fun!

WITH HEARPLAN YOU HAVE PEACE OF MIND Normally when you buy hearing aids you are also paying for all your initial assessments, fitting fees and ongoing hearing tests and care, but we realise that paying for all this in one go

can sometimes be prohibitive and not all hearing aid users require the same level of aftercare and end up paying for something they do not use.

So we have introduced HearPlan.

For a monthly subscription you will receive: ● All of the care and support you need to improve your hearing ● £200.00 off the cost of each hearing instrument ● Preferential pricing on new technology if you choose to upgrade your hearing aid ● Offers on accessories that you may need to help you hear in every e nvironment 01865 910 202 | enquires@tripphearing.co.uk | www.tripphearing.co.uk Clarendon Business Centre, Sandford Gate, East Point Business Park Sandy Lane West, Oxford, OX4 6LB

www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Events Experience Oxfordshire 15-16 Broad Street Oxford OX1 3AS. Tel: 01865 686430. Web: www.experienceoxfordshire.org Experience Oxfordshire is pleased to promote the many wonderful cultural events, shows, exhibitions and festivals that take place across the city and county - there’s always something going on in Oxfordshire. Check our website calender to see what events are on tonight, this weekend, or during your future visit.

Bill Spectre Ghost Tours Every Friday & Saturday: Join Bill Spectre on his award-winning walking tour of Oxford's ghosts every Friday and Saturday evening in July. Historically informative yet hugely entertaining, it's the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere of this famous city! www.ghosttrail.org D8568 Clayton Only Running Day Saturday 2nd July: D8568 was built by the Clayton Equipment Company and is the sole survivor of the 117 built. In full working order with both engines in operation, on Saturday 2nd July you can see the locomotive on their unique 'Clayton Only' running day. www.chinnorrailway.co.uk Alice’s Day Saturday 2nd July: Join a huge celebration of one of the most beloved children’s stories in the world: Alice in Wonderland, with performances, a white rabbit trail and more across the city. www.storymuseum.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/alices-day/ Save the Last Dance for Me at New Theatre Oxford Monday 18th - Saturday 23rd July: From the team that brought you the huge success that is Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance for Me will take you back through the ‘music and magic’ of the early 60’s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic. www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/ Cogges Beer and Cider Festival Friday 29th - Saturday 20th July: Visit Cogges to celebrate their 5th annual Beer and Cider Festival. With 30+ beers and ciders on sale, musical offerings from Glovebox and a sumptuous selection of food stalls, it’s sure to be a fantastic event. www.cogges.org.uk/event/cogges-beer-cider-festival-2016 Learn Tai Chi in a morning at Batsford Arboretum Friday 29th July: Join tutor and author Neil Hall in the beautiful setting of Batsford Arboretum to learn some Tai Chi you can do at home. This short introductory course is aimed at beginners, and designed to be suitable for over 60’s (though all adults are welcome). www.lctkd.com/batsford

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Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

Ashmolean Museum Beaumont St, Oxford, OX1 2PH Tel: 01865 278000 Web: www.ashmolean.org Among many riches we have the world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of Egyptian pre-Dynastic sculpture and ceramics outside Cairo, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, outstanding Anglo-Saxon treasures, and the foremost collection of modern Chinese painting in the Western world.

An Evening with Luca Zingaretti Saturday 16th July: Join Luca Zingaretti for a private tour of Storms, War & Shipwrecks at the Ashmolean and then for a reading from ‘La Sirena’ (The Mermaid) by Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa with musical accompaniment at the Sheldonian. Tickets: £12 / £25

Storms, War and Shipwrecks: Treasures from the Sicilian Seas Saturday 16th July: Storms, War and Shipwrecks tells the extraordinary story of the island at the crossroads of the Mediterranean through the discoveries made by underwater archaeologists. This major summer exhibition explores the roots of this multicultural heritage with over 200 spectacular and unusual objects rescued from the bottom of the sea. Admission Free Finding Atlantis: The Archaeology of Sunken Cities: Discover the incredible story of the oldest submerged town so far identified - Pavlopetri off the coast of Greece. 11am - 12pm Playing with the Past – Archaeology and Gaming with Total War: Creative Assembly, makers of the incredibly popular PC strategy series ‘Total War’, explore how history is a rich vein of inspiration for their games and how and where the line is drawn between what makes great entertainment and historical accuracy. Time: 2pm - 3pm Meet the Divers: Meet some divers from the Oxford University Underwater Exploration Group and hear their tales from the deep. Time: 1pm - 4pm

Tudor Day Saturday 23rd July: Listen to Tudor tales with Dave Tonge the Yarnsmith of Norwich, join a Tudor tour, enjoy Tudor music with Oxford Waits and discover more about the tools and techniques of craftsmen with The Tudor Group. Admission Free

Earth-Shattering Events Day Saturday 30th July: Part of our Festival of Archaeology. Tickets: £5 / £4 The Flood: British Museum expert and author of The Ark Before Noah, Dr Irving Finkel reveals how decoding the symbols on a 4,000 year old piece of clay enable a radical new interpretation of the story of Noah’s Ark. Time: 11am - 12pm Earthquakes, Nations and Civilisation: Andrew Robinson, author of Earth-Shattering Events, assesses the conflicting evidence for great earthquakes as agents of national decline and, sometimes, renewal in the form of ‘creative destruction’. Time: 2pm - 3pm

www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Events Oxford City Council St Aldate’s Chambers, 109 St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DS. Tel: 01865 249811. Web: www.oxford.gov.uk Oxford City Councils Culture and Events Team delivers great events and manages all events taking place in public spaces throughout the city.

Keep up to date with the latest news at www.oxford.gov.uk/events

Leys Festival Saturday 2nd July: A free family festival with lots of activities for young people, families and adults to try out. There will also be a static classic car display, a performance area will present a dog agility show, birds of prey, a Shakespeare workshop performance and a martial arts display and The Horticultural Show. Time: 12pm - 4pm. Location: Blackbird Leys Park Alice’s Day Saturday 2nd July: A frabjous day of animal antics and Alice-themed fun across the city centre including hatters tea-part at The Story Museum, Caucus Race at the Museum of Natural History, White rabbit scavenger hunt. Location: Various venues around the City. storymuseum.org.uk/Alice

Leiden Anniversary Parade Saturday 9th July: Brass band event featuring a stage band augmented with a marching band, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of twinning links between Oxford and Leiden.” Time: 12pm - 4pm.

Location: Bonn Square and City Centre

Headington Summer Fun Day Saturday 9th July: This is a free fun day for the community of Headington organised by Churches Together of Headington and includes games, activities, food and beverages, music and fun.

Time: 2pm - 5pm. Location: Bury Knowle Park

West Oxford Fun Day Saturday 9th July: This free community fun day will include a music stage, fun games for all ages, circus skills, gurning, a range of food and drink stalls, a range of community information and consultation stalls, a bar, pony rides, a fun dog show and more.” Time: 1pm - 5pm.

Location: Botley Park. woca.org.uk Cowley Road Carnival Sunday 10th July: Community carnival with music and dance stages , sound systems, carnival procession, children’s area , food and exhibitor stalls, craft and charity stalls, funfair rides. Time: 12pm - 5pm. Location: Cowley Road. cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk Race for Life Sunday 10th July: This 5k and 10k fundraising event for Cancer Research UK is expecting to attract 4000 participants and 2500 spectators. Location: University Parks & City Centre. raceforlife.org

Dancin’ On The Green Saturday 16th July: It's free, it's exciting, it's awesome, it's the very best in dance to the heart of the City! All afternoon on the Dance Stage in Gloucester Green there will be much to see and enjoy plus pop-up performances around town. Bring the family, a picnic or choose from food stalls on site.

Time: 12.30pm - 5pm. Location: Gloucester Green. dancinoxford.co.uk TVOC Run The Parks Saturday 23rd July: An orienteering event around Headington Hill Park and parts of the Oxford Brookes campus. Time: 10am - 1pm. Location: Headington Hill Park. tvoc.org.uk

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Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

Blenheim Palace Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP Tel: 01993 810530 Web: www.blenheimpalace.com Make your summer glorious and memorable with a visit to Blenheim Palace this July. Our calendar has plenty for everyone to enjoy including lots of car events and family entertainment. Enjoy delicious sesonal food in the new Orangery Restaurant or explore the Palace, Formal Gardens and Parkland with one of our dedicated trails. Head to the Pleasure Gardens and enjoy family fun in the Butterfly House, Giant Hedge Maze and Adventure Playground.

Salon Privé ‘Cars & Coffee’ – 60s and 70s classics Sunday 3rd July: Salon Privé, the UK’s leading luxury supercar and classic car show, has announced a summer series of high-octane car gatherings set within the magnificent architecture of the East Courtyard. Open to all owners, enthusiasts and connoisseurs, the public can enjoy the first of three breakfast meets, leading up this year's main Salon Privé event on 1st - 3rd September.

Pre '50 American Auto Club 'Rally of the Giants' Sunday 10th July: With well over 400 classic American vehicles attending (including some of the finest and most valuable examples to be found anywhere in Europe) dating from the early 1920's through to the seventies, the Rally of the Giants is the must-visit event for anyone with an interest and passion for vintage vehicles!

Battle Proms Picnic Concert* Saturday 16th July: Every summer thousands of concert-goers pack up a picnic, stock up on fizz and join the party for the Battle Proms Concert. Join us for an exceptional evening of classical music, carefully choreographed Spitfire and cavalry displays, dramatic cannon fire and a stunning firework finale– all part of the Battle Proms experience!

The Wizard of Oz Friday 22nd - Saturday 23rd July: Immersion Theatre will be bringing the joyful classic 'Wizard of Oz' to Blenheim Palace in an explosion of action and comedy taking place in the Pleasure Gardens.

With lashings of audience participation, dazzling costumes, an original script and plenty of laughter, this faithful re-telling promises to have you shouting, clapping and singing along to a host of brand new songs as Immersion Theatre presents a fantastic treat for all the family.

Summer Holiday Entertainment* Saturday 23rd July - Thursday 1st September: Visit the Pleasure Gardens and get involved in a whole host of fun family activities and events taking place throughout the summer holidays, including Animal Encounters, miniature pony rides, history variety shows and a number of creative workshops. Enjoy the permanent attractions in our dedicated family area including a Butterfly House, Marlborough Giant Hedge Maze, Adventure Playground and bouncy castle. * separate charges apply.

For more information and to see a full events calendar, visit www.blenheimpalace.com.

www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Education EF International Language Centre Pullens Lane, OX3 0DT, Headington, Oxford. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 759 660. www.ef.co.uk – Facebook: EF Oxford – Twitter: @efoxford EF International Language centres, is a Modern campus with disabled friendly facilities. Situated in the prestigious area, Pullens Lane in Oxford.

We offer English courses and University preparation to students from more than 50 countries. Our courses are flexible in length to suit you, from 2 weeks to 52 weeks a year. Our EF Efektatm learning system is widely known to be the most effective way to learn. You are guaranteed to learn faster with our experienced teachers, the latest language technology and interaction with the local culture plus we will help you prepare for and take official language proficiency exams for example, IELTS and Cambridge ESOL, being also an examination centre for the Cambridge exams. EF offers you a complete study experience, including free-time activities and excursions. We arrange accommodation, meals, visa guidance, medical insurance and anything else you can think of, so you are able to just focus on learning and enjoying your course and exciting experience.”

The Lake School of English Oxford 14 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JQ. Tel: +44 (0) 1865 724312.

Email: carmel@englishinoxford.com Web: www.englishinoxford.com In the centre of Oxford, the Lake School of English offers a professional, dynamic approach to teaching and a supportive environment for learning with intensive courses delivered by well-qualified and experienced teachers. Our students enjoy personal attention, inclusive social activities, comfortable accommodation and lovely self-study facilities. The Lake School is British Council accredited, a leading Centre of Excellence 2010 – 2015, and a member of Quality English.

Our Lady’s Abingdon Abingdon on Thames, Oxfordshire, OX14 3PS. Tel: 01235 524658. Web: www.olab.org.uk The facilities on offer are extensive. Building programmes over recent years have provided excellent teaching facilities for subjects across the curriculum including a spacious Sixth Form Centre and a purpose built Nursery. A major building programme was recently completed. This included a new auditorium, drama studio, science laboratory, exhibition and reception area, teaching space and library/resource centre.

Eckersley Oxford 14 Friars Entry, Oxford OX1 2BZ. Tel: 01865 721268. Web: www.eckersley.co.uk Over 50 years teaching English to foreign students in the centre of Oxford, with experienced and qualified teachers. Our long tradition combines with a 21st century approach and state-of-the-art facilities, including interactive whiteboards, a digital language laboratory and of course wireless access from just about anywhere in the School.

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Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

Oxford Parkway NOW OPEN

Now you can say goodbye to delays and cramped, crowded trains.

Switch to Chiltern Railways from Oxford Parkway – our new Park & Ride station near the A40, A34 and A44 – for fast, punctual, more comfortable services to London Marylebone.

To find out more and buy tickets visit chilternrailways.co.uk

www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Attractions City Sightseeing Bus Tours Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street, OX1 1HS. Tel: 01865 790522. Web: www.citysightseeingoxford.com Our award winning one hour tour takes you on a fascinating journey around both the famous University colleges and the historic buildings of the city itself. Hop on and off at any of our nineteen bus stops around the town. All buses have live guides or recorded commentary in up to thirteen languages. Tours operate all day every day except Christmas/Boxing and New years day.

Tickets valid on Red and Green Buses.

Oxford Castle Quarter 43 Oxford Castle, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1AY. Tel: 01865 20165. Web: www.oxfordcastle.com Oxford’s oldest new quarter, once home to the infamous Oxford Prison and now home to an exciting hub of restaurants and the gorgeous Malmaison Boutique Hotel. The Castle also has an exciting visitor attraction ‘Oxford Castle Unlocked,’ where the secrets of the castle have been unlocked. For art lovers there is the O3 Gallery, with exhibitions all year round.

Carfax Tower Junction of St Aldates and High Street, Oxford OX1 4AZ. Tel: 01865 792653.

Open: 10am to 5.30pm. Admission: £2.20, Children £1.10.

In 1818 St Martin’s church was rebuilt complete with tower. However, the church, apart from its tower, was demolished in 1896. The tower is all that remains today. Two ‘quarter boys’ who hit the bells at every quarter hour adorn the east facade of the church clock. Climb up 99 steps to get a sweeping view of Oxford’s spires.

Open 10am - 5.30pm, Apr - Oct (4.30pm in October), Admission £2.20, Children £1.10.

Didcot Railway Centre Didcot, Oxon, OX11 7NJ. Tel: 01235 817200. Web: www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Home of the Great Western Society and its unique collection of Great Western Railway steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and small relics and a recreation of Brunel’s broad gauge railway.

Didcot Railway Centre is open daily in July. 10th July Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Family Funday. Steam Days 2-3/9/16-17/23-24/27/30-31 July.

Visitor Information Centre 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS Tel: 01865 686 430 Email: info@experienceoxfordshire.org Web: visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com The Tourist information Centre staff provide an extensive range of services to help make your stay enjoyable and memorable. We offer a wide range of guides, maps, souvenirs and local produce. We also can guide you to the best Oxfordshire has to offer. We are also the home of Official Guided Walking Tours, the best way to explore Oxford on foot.

See in store or get in contact with us by Tel: 01865 252037 Email: wtours@oxford.gov.uk

Cherwell Boathouse - Punting Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6ST (1 mile from the town centre).

Tel: 01865 515978. Web: www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk Enjoy the quintessential Oxford experience punting on the River Cherwell.

With over 70 hand built punts, boats and canoes. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in a beautiful tranquil environment on the river.

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University Church of St. Mary the Virgin High Street, Oxford OX1 4BJ. Tel: 01865 279111. Web: www.university-church.ox.ac.uk St Mary’s is situated at the historic heart of the City and University of Oxford.

Thought to be the oldest university building in the world, the Tower was built in 1280, and the University’s reference library was added in 1320. It is worth the climb of 124 steps to make it to the top to enjoy fine uninterrupted views across Oxford and the surrounding countryside. Open: 9am to 5pm (July and August 9am-6pm).

Tower Admission: Adult £3, Children (under 16) £2.50.

St Michael at the North Gate Cornmarket Street, Oxford, OX1 3EY. Tel: 01865 240940. Web: www.smng.org.uk St Michael at the North Gate is the oldest Church Tower in Oxford and is definitely worth a visit! There’s also a treasury of silver and bronze dating back to the 1600s and you can also see a copy of the church accounts dating back hundreds of years.

Open: 10.30am - 5pm (10.30am - 4pm in Winter). Admission: Adults and Concessions £2.50, Students £2.00, Children £1.30, Family ticket £7.00

Oxford Official Guided Walking Tours 15-16 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS Tel: 01865 686 441 Email: officialtours@experienceoxfordshire.org Web: visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com What better way to discover our beautiful city than on foot? The Official Guided Walking Tours are a fascinating and entertaining way to explore and learn about this unique city, its history, University, famous people and odd traditions. Oxford Official Guided Walking Tours cover a wide range of topics from an introduction to the city and its University to Inspector Morse, Harry Potter, J.R.R. Tolkien and more.

Discover ...

WHERE OXFORD BEGAN...

KIDS GO FREE THIS SUMMER AT OXFORD CASTLE UNLOCKED!*

*Check website for Terms & Conditions

www.oxfordcastlequarter.com www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Theatre The North Wall Arts Centre South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN. Tel: 01865 319450 Web: www.thenorthwall.com

Queens of Syria Monday 11th – Tuesday 12th July: First staged in Amman in 2013, and the subject of an award winning documentary, Queens of Syria is an adaptation of Euripides anti-war tragedy, The Trojan Women, performed by an all-female cast of Syrian refugees. These are not the voices of political commentators or journalists, but of ordinary women whose lives have been turned upside down by the turmoil of the Syrian conflict. The stories of these women need to be heard. Tickets: £20 (£15 concessions) Time: 8pm

Bucket List Thursday 14th July: When her mother is murdered for protesting corporate and governmental corruption, Milagros finds herself with only a bloodstained list of those responsible. Determined to make them pay, Milagros embarks on a passionate quest for justice - no matter the cost. Using physical storytelling, live music and song, Ad Infinitum unfolds a story of love, loss and revenge. Tickets: £10 (£8 concessions) Time: 7.30pm

Cornerstone Arts Centre Station Rd, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11.

Tel: 01235 515144. Web: www.cornerstone-arts.org

Stuart Maconie The Pie at Night Saturday 16th July: Writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie takes you on a nocturnal trip through Britain in search of fun. With his bestselling books as a guide, Stuart plots a route that takes in high art to low culture, family holidays to fell-walking, music, sport, politics, crown green bowling and zombie apocalypses!

Tickets: £15, £13.50 (conc) Time: 7.30pm

The Last Post Saturday 30th July: Step on board our pillar-box red van-atorium outside Cornerstone, known as Mobile Sorting Office 451, to a world where snail mail reigns supreme. You’ll meet Verity, the irrepressible heiress of an international pen-pal agency, and Red, a redundant Post-Master. Witness the unwrapping of their curious love story, accompanied by live music, provided by Tomaz (who arrived one day in a jiffy bag).

Tickets: £12.50 Time: 11am & 2pm

Creation Theatre Tel: 01865 766266 Web: www.creationtheatre.co.uk

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: An Interactive Adventure Until Saturday 30th July: Unlike any Creation show in the past 20 years, this summer’s version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is part play, part quest, part treasure hunt and just a little bit Crystal Maze! Meet in groups of 10 at a secret location, follow the clues and watch out for fairies. Tickets: £18 - £24. To book, call the Creation Box Office on 01865 766266 or book online at www.creationtheatre.co.uk.

Hamlet Wednesday 13th July - Saturday 13th August: Rock up with a picnic and, surrounded by the beauty of University Parks, immerse yourself in this grimey, startling, whirlwind of a production. Visit www.creationtheatre.co.uk for more information and to book.

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New Theatre Oxford George St, Oxford OX1 2AG Tel: 0844 871 3020 Web: www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

The Last Tango Thursday 7th - Saturday 9th July: The nation’s favourite Strictly Come Dancing stars in their ultimate farewell show. Fresh from their sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as they prepare to dance in their final ever show.

Visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford for pricing.

Save The Last Dance For Me Monday 18th - Saturday 23rd July: Save the Last Dance for Me will take you back through the ‘music and magic’ of the early 60’s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic. For the first time without their parents - the sisters embark on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base.

Visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford for pricing.

Oxford Playhouse Oxford Playhouse 11 - 12 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW. Box Office: 01865 305305. Web: www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Two Gentlemen of Verona Tuesday 19th - Sunday 31st July: One of Oxford’s most spectacular summer highlights, Oxford Playhouse and the Bodleian Library are delighted to welcome back Globe Theatre On Tour. Get your summer soaring by seeing one of Shakespeare’s most charming comedies in the unique outdoor setting of the Old Schools Quadrangle. Valentine loves Silvia and Proteus loves Julia – but Proteus is fickle, and falls for Silvia too. Join a joyful ensemble of players - plus a bit with a dog. Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for pricing.

Peter Pan in Scarlet Friday 12th August - Sunday 4th September: This world premiere stage adaptation of the official sequel to J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan is the perfect adventure for the whole family. It’s 1929, and Wendy and the Lost Boys have all grown up when strange dreams begin to seep out of Neverland.

Pirates and mermaids, war paint and crocodiles – the dreams tell them that something must be wrong, and their friend Peter Pan needs their help.

Visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com for pricing.

HELP WANTED: LASSCO are seeking an additional member of staff to join our jolly team in the Coffee Shop at Milton Common. Hours to include alternate Saturday's, every Wednesday approx 16+ hrs a week min with opportunity to increase hrs for right person. Can do approach, ability to work with food, food hygiene certified if possible but not essential as training given. Contact Kim@lassco.co.uk www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Theatre Oxford Music Theatre St Columba’s United Reformed Church, Alfred St, Oxford, OX1 4EH Tel: 01865 305305. Web: www.cldthemusical.co.uk

'CLD - The Real Lewis Carroll' - a Musical July & August 2016: Ultimate Oxford musical using Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’ characters and songs telling his tragic story in real life as Charles Dodgson, the shy young mathematician at Christ Church College. Catchy tunes, mad humour, West End cast with international creative director David Kettle.

Dates: Thursday 14th July at 7.30pm (reduced price preview), Friday 15th July at 7pm, Saturday 16th July at 4.15pm & 7.30pm. Then Wednesdays to Saturdays 20th July - 6th August at 7.30pm, with matinees every Thursday and Saturday at 4.15pm. Plus "Meet The Writer" 30 minute free talk at the venue each Saturday at 6.30pm.

Venue: St Columba’s United Reformed Church, Alfred St (off of High St), Oxford, OX1 4EH (next to the Bear Inn). Tickets: £17.50 (£15.50) from www.ticketsoxford.com, or tel 01865 305305, or from Oxford Playhouse. www.cldthemusical.co.uk. Facebook: /cldthemusical

Old Fire Station 40 George Street Oxford OX1 2AQ Tel: 01865 263980 Web: www.oldfirestation.org.uk

FABRIC Tuesday 5th July: Leah is sorting through all the stuff that has accumulated in her spare room: clothes she doesn’t wear, books she doesn’t read, things she doesn’t need. Constantly reliving events in her past; she desperately tries to unpick just where it all went wrong and who is really to blame. A raw, poignant, and unflinching look at the unravelling of one woman’s life, FABRIC questions the shifting roles and expectations of women in today’s society and asks how, if ever, they can be fulfilled. Tickets: £13, £11 (concs) Time: 7.30pm

Much Ado About Nothing Thursday 7th & Friday 8th July: Following A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night, critically acclaimed MadCap Theatre Productions return with one of the Bard’s finest comedies. War is over and everyone is ready to celebrate – but Benedick and Beatrice have their own personal war to finish! While everyone is sure they are the perfect couple, it’s going to take more than a dance to get the hot-headed pair to admit it. When something happens the push the two together, they find they have much bigger problems to face than each other. Tickets: £10, £8 (concs) Time: 6.15pm

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Oxfordshire Music The Charivari Agréable Exeter College Chapel, Turl Street, OX1 3DP. Tel: 01865 305305. Web: www.charivari.co.uk

“Early Music by Candlelight” Summer Festival 2016 July 2016: More details on www.charivari.co.uk Friday 8th: Tuesday 12th: Wednesday 13th: Friday 15th: Sunday 17th: Tuesday 19th: Wednesday 20th: Friday 22nd: Tuesday 26th: Wednesday 27th: Friday 29th: Sunday 31th:

Salve Regina Dulcet Fifes My Ladye Loves Le Roi Danse In Guilty Night Fancies & Caprices A Musical Offering Salve Regina My Ladye Loves In Guilty Night Le Roi Danse Fancies & Caprices

"One of the classiest baroque bands" - The Observer "Oxford’s most interesting and accomplished ensemble" - The Oxford Times "Imaginative programming, scholarly research and charismatic musicianship" - BBC Music Magazine Tickets: £18/£17/£14 (OAP £16/£15/£12) Students £10 from Tickets Office, The Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Tel: 01865 305305. For group discount @15% for a party of 10 or more, Tel: 01865 751928. Time: 8.00pm. Venue: Exeter College Chapel, Turl Street, OX1 3DP

Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra 29a Teignmouth Road London. Tel: 01865 980 980.

Web: www.oxfordphil.com E-mail: info@oxfordphil.com

Summer Series: Bach and Vivaldi Saturday 9th July: For one spectacular evening of concerti by Bach and Vivaldi, principal violinists of the Oxford Philharmonic unite with Ilya Gringolts, a violinist whose inquisitiveness regarding new musical challenges has shown him to be an outstanding musical personality. Hear these personalities shine as they share the limelight in Bach’s Double Violin Concerto, before a quartet of soloists step forth for Vivaldi’s tour de force of seasonal representations. Tickets: £10 - £35. Venue: Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. Time: 7.30pm

Summer Series: A Tribute to Shakespeare Saturday 23rd July: Worldwide celebrations mark the quatercentenary of William Shakespeare in 2016. His dramatic artistry transcends societal boundaries and continues to inspire composers across generations and borders. With readings from Shakespeare's works, The Soloists of the Oxford Philharmonic perform music written across diverse artistic dynasties, hundreds of years apart: all are united, though, by Shakespeare's visionary understanding of the human heart. Tickets: £10 - £35.

Venue: Merton College Chapel, Oxford. Time: 7.30pm

Faculty of Music, University of Oxford St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DB. Tel: 01865 276133. Web: www.music.ox.ac.uk/events The Oxford University Music Faculty is one of the largest and liveliest music departments in the UK. As an internationally renowned centre of teaching and research in all aspects of music, it is an exciting and stimulating environment in which to work and study. Whether you are interested in studying in Oxford, or you want to find out more about who we are and what we do, or you want to discover what seminars and concerts we have on offer, or you are simply an alumnus wanting to keep in touch, we hope you find all the information you need on our website. www.music.ox.ac.uk

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Oxford

Philharmonic

Orchestra

In Residence at the University of Oxford

Saturday 2 July

Sheldonian Theatre, 7.30pm

Moscow Nights BARTók Romanian Dances PAgAnini Caprice No. 24

TCHAikovSky Serenade for Strings yuri zhislin violin/director

Saturday 9 July

Sheldonian Theatre, 7.30pm

Bach and Vivaldi vivAldi The Four Seasons BACH Concerto for Two Violins BACH Violin Concerto in E ilya gringolts violin/director

Saturday 23 July Merton College Chapel, 7.30pm

A Tribute to Shakespeare Interspersed with Shakespeare readings PURCEll The Fairy Queen Suite wAlTon Henry V Suite HAndEl Water Music Suites Nos. 2 & 3 Marios Papadopoulos director

Saturday 30 July University Church of St Mary the virgin, 8pm

Tong-Il Han Piano Recital SCHUBERT Piano Sonata No. 20 SCHUBERT Impromptu in C minor BRAHMS Piano Sonata No. 3

Sunday 31 July

Holywell Music Room, 8pm

Ferenc Rados Piano Recital MozART Keyboard Sonata No. 15 BARTók Selections from Mikrokosmos SCHUBERT Piano Sonata No. 17

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01865 980 980 oxfordphil.com Monday 1 August

Merton College Chapel, 8pm

Nikolai Lugansky Piano Recital SCHUBERT Four Impromptus TCHAikovSky The Seasons RACHMAninov Moments musicaux

Tuesday 2 August

Sheldonian Theatre, 8pm

Marc-André Hamelin Piano Recital BEETHovEn ‘Appassionata’ Sonata FEinBERg Piano Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2 SCHUMAnn Fantasie in C

Wednesday 3 August Sheldonian Theatre, 8pm

Menahem Pressler MozART Piano Concerto No. 23 HAydn ‘London’ Symphony Menahem Pressler piano Marios Papadopoulos conductor

Thursday 4 August Merton College Chapel, 8pm

Alexandre Tharaud Piano Recital BACH Goldberg Variations

Saturday 6 August Sheldonian Theatre, 8pm

Julia Hsu & Peter Serkin Piano Duo Recital

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BizET 3 Pieces from Jeux d’enfants MozART Duo Sonata BRAHMS Hungarian Dances SCHUBERT Rondo in A

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Oxfordshire Art & Antiques Sanders of Oxford 104 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BW. Tel: 01865 242590 E-mail: info@sandersofoxford.com Sanders of Oxford, situated in the 17th century Salutation Inn, has long been a landmark on the High Street. Our selection of prints and maps, dating from 16th – 20th Centuries, is extensive and encompasses a wide range of subjects, engravers and prices.

Kieran Stiles Art Studios Folly Bridge, Oxford. Tel: 07967 075367. Web: www.artcoursesoxford.com E-mail: kieran@artcoursesoxford.com A range of beginner and advanced courses in painting, printmaking and life drawing with a professional artist and experienced, qualified teacher.

Mid-week and weekend tuition in a friendly atmosphere. Group sessions, all day workshops and individual tutorials. Exhibition space available. All in the inspiring setting of Folly Bridge, Oxford.

Modern Art Oxford 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX1 1BP. Tel: 01865 722 733. Web: www.modernartoxford.org.uk Founded in 1966, Modern Art Oxford is one of the UK’s most exciting and influential contemporary art spaces with an international reputation for ambitious and innovative projects. The gallery is open to all and all our exhibitions and events are completely free of charge, unless stated. We aim to make contemporary art accessible and engaging to the widest audience through presentation and participation.

Aidan Meller Gallery 13 Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DQ Tel: 01865 580437 14 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AS Tel: 01865 250550 Aidan Meller Galleries is a specialist fine art dealer with three exhibitions spaces in Oxford showing contemporary, modernist and old master art.

Recent exhibitions have included original works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Edward Burne-Jones and John Everett Millais. Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sun 11am – 5pm

Christ Church Picture Gallery Changing Roles, Changing Characters: From Lady to Saint and Back 23 April - 4 September 2016

Opening Times: Mon - Sat: 10.30am - 5pm, Sun: 2 - 5pm (Open Daily)

Christ Church, Oxford Entrance via Oriel Square Admission: £4/£2 Tel: 01865 276172 www.chch.ox.ac.uk/gallery

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Summer Exhibition www.wisegal.com Tel: 01865 515 123 40-41 South Parade Summertown Oxford OX2 7JL

Sanders of Oxford Antique Prints & Maps

Sanders of Oxford, situated in the 17th century Salutation Inn, has long been a landmark on the High Street. Our selection of prints and maps, dating from 16th – 20th Centuries, is extensive and encompasses a wide range of subjects, engravers and prices.

On display in the gallery at the moment we have a fantastic collection of early maps of Oxford, Great Britain and the rest of the World alongside some of the finest printed views of our University City.

104 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BW. Tel: 01865 242590.

E-mail: info@sandersofoxford.com.

Web: www.sandersofoxford.com. Admission: FREE. Open: Mon to Sat 10am - 6pm Sun 11am - 5pm

www.livinginoxford.com

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Six Good Points ✓ Interesting antiques and local crafts ✓ Huge variety & wide price range ✓ Specialist bookshops within ✓ Dealers on hand to offer advice ✓ Open every day ✓ Buses stop right outside 28

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Arts & Antiques Article

Antiques on High Voted Oxfordshire’s Favourite Gallery in the 2016 Living in Oxford Awards, Antiques on High is a destination for anyone who loves art and antiques. Thirty-five friendly dealers offer a wonderful selection of quality antiques and collectables. The Centre has been established on the ‘High’ in Oxford nearly 20 years; many of the dealers work in the shop and are available to offer advice.

The Centre’s small traditional shop front hides a large and interesting selling space filled with cabinets and individual display areas. There are two antiquarian and second-hand bookshops within with lots of general stock covering history, literature, children’s books, modern first editions, travel, poetry, cookery, classics and a selection of foreign language material, plus a specialist music section with scores and sheet music.

Visitors are encouraged to browse and take their time to choose from the items on offer. There are thousands of pieces including a great selection of silver and silver plate, fine and costume jewellery, ceramics, glass, pictures, maps and prints, postcards, coins, antiquities, pens and desk items, pistols and weapons, oriental, mirrors, textiles, toys, tins and ephemera, treen, music, books, records and vinyl, retro plus curious and quirky items. With pieces dating from antiquity to vintage and prices ranging from £1 to £500+, there is something for everybody.

Antiques on High also has a thriving contemporary gallery, Crafts on High.

Here you will find the work of local artists and makers, including members of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild and the Oxford Art Society. For sale are useful and beautiful objects made of wood, ceramics and glass, original works of art for your wall space and a range of delightful greetings cards.

Our jewellery focuses on beads, recycled work and paper montage.

Fabrics abound, including textiles and soft furnishings for the home and garments to wear. Many of the items have an Oxford theme, so make perfect gifts and souvenirs. The gallery is a venue during the prestigious annual Oxford Artweeks festival and the makers are happy to work on commissions.

Antiques on High is a pleasant stroll from the Botanic Gardens and river and just 5 minutes from Oxford’s Covered Market; it sits between restaurants and coffee bars (including the first coffee shops ever opened, dating from the 1600s) so you can relax with a drink, meal or snack after your visit. With London, Park and Ride and local buses stopping right outside it is easy to reach on public transport too.

Antiques on High is open every day - weekdays and Saturdays from 10am until 5pm, Sundays and bank holidays from 11am until 5pm.

85 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BG Tel: 01865 251075 Web: www.antiquesonhigh.co.uk www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Accommodation Macdonald Randolph Hotel Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LN. Tel: 01865 256400. Web: www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk/randolph Oxford’s leading hotel - The AA Five star Macdonald Randolph - is situated in the heart of the city opposite the world famous Ashmolean Museum. Built in 1864 and recently refurbished, the hotel offers each guest the highest level of comfort and service in a traditional and welcoming environment.

The location makes the Macdonald Randolph Hotel an ideal base for exploring the historic sights of Oxford or the thriving shopping centre just two minutes walk away.

The Beetle and Wedge Ferry Lane Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX10 9JF. Tel: 01491 651381. Web: www.beetleandwedge.co.uk Set on the banks of the River Thames immortalised in ‘The Wind in the Willows’ and Jerome K Jerome’s chronicled escapades of his friends’ visits in ‘Three Men in a Boat’, the Boathouse Restaurant emphasis is on quality of food, wines and service. The older part of our beautiful old beamed Boathouse offers our famous open charcoal grill where delicacies are created before your very eyes. Join us and enjoy the tranquillity and peace of a beautiful riverside setting for relaxed dining.

Royal Oxford Hotel Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HR. Tel: 01865 248432. Web: www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk The Royal Oxford Hotel is a Non Smoking Property located 2 minutes walk to the bus and train stations and offers: * Air conditioned bedrooms * Free wireless network throughout the hotel * Spacious and well appointed accommodation * Complementary water and selection of fresh fruit in all bedrooms * Tourist Information Within easy reach of the train station and the centre of Oxford.

YHA 2a Botley Rd, Oxford OX2 0AB. Tel: 01865 727275.

Web: www.yha.org.uk This modern hostel iscentrally located, right next to Oxford Train Station.

YHA Oxford offers affordable accommodation in rooms of 2, 4 or 6 beds.

There is a café/bar serving great coffee, snacks, evening meals and a full English breakfast is available each morning. We also have self-catering kitchen facilities, a garden, laundry facilities and luggage storage for guests. Just a short walk away from the historic town centre, we’re an ideal place to base for yourself to explore the city and surrounding areas.

Malmaison Oxford Malmaison, 3 New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY Tel: 0871 943 0350 Web: www.malmaison.com It’s never a hard day’s night at Oxford hotel, which is surely one of our most unique buildings around. Located in a converted prison in a medieval castle, this boutique hotel is in Oxford Castle Quarter, one of the oldest, busiest and trendiest spots in the city. So, if you’re tired of doing hard time in run-of-the-mill hotels, check into this extraordinary slammer where the only hardship is having to go home!

The Feathers Hotel Market Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1SX. Tel: 01993 812 291. Web: www.feathers.co.uk The Feathers Hotel is an inviting country retreat that combines historic charm with a fun personality. Named Oxfordshire’s Restaurant of the Year 2012, it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of gin (167 varieties). “The Gin Experience” menu is £75 per person for seven courses.

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Jury’s Inn Godstow Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 8AL Tel: 01865 489 988 Web: www.jurysinns.com Jurys Inn Oxford has 168 stylish rooms perfectly designed to offer guests all the comforts of home. Our spacious hotel rooms come fully equipped with free Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, a flat screen TV with Freeview, trouser press, and more.

Bear & Ragged Staff 28 Appleton Road, Cumnor, Oxfordshire OX2 9QH Tel: 01865 862329 Web: www.bearandraggedstaff.com The room count in Cumnor has just increased by another 125% with the opening of the last five of nine rooms at the Bear and Ragged Staff in December 2012. The Bear is just 2 miles away from the A34, 4 miles West of Oxford and without all the city centre parking issues and outside rush hour, is just a 12 minute drive away. Park and Ride facilities are just a 5 minute drive.

River Hotel Botley Road, Oxford, OX2 0AA. Tel: (01865) 243475.

Web: www.riverhotel.co.uk Email: reception@riverhotel.co.uk Long established local business • Excellent City location overlooking the river, by ‘Thames Walk’ towpath • Oxford College owned property, originally an 1870’s Master-builder’s home • 18 bedrooms with own bathroom, all with expected in-room facilities • 24-hr access for registered residents, free on-site car-park and wi-fi • SatNav, via Mill Street, take immediate first lane on right OX2 0AJ • On A420, 1 mile to A34 ring road, west exit at Botley/Seacourt interchange • Easy walk to City, Colleges, Venues, Conferences, near Said Business School • VisitEngland ** metro grading, breakfast table service, residents bar ‘Large enough to be comfortable, small enough to be friendly’

Holiday Inn Oxford Woodstock Rd, Oxford OX2 8JD. Tel: 0871 942 9086. Web: www.hioxfordhotel.co.uk The Holiday Inn Oxford hotel is beside the A34 and with ample free parking, it’s easy to travel into Oxford - just hop on the Park and Ride bus adjacent to the hotel. It’s also close to the M40, M4, Blenheim Palace and Silverstone.

The 154 bedroom purpose-built hotel offers Wi-Fi internet access and excellent hotel family rooms for up to 2 adults and 2 children. And because Kids Eat & Stay Free, it’s a fantastic value for families. While you’re here, enjoy the large gym, pool and beauty therapists in the Spirit health club. The Holiday Inn Oxford also boasts Academy Conference and Training Suites, with a dedicated team to help you plan your event and run the day.

Righton Group Limited 8 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7JL. Tel: 01865 311 696 Web: www.rightonstay.co.uk Righton Group Limited specialises in the provision of high quality serviced accommodation in Oxfordshire and locations in south east England. Our properties are carefully selected to be close to local amenities, transport links and key businesses and can be rented for as little as three nights through to a year or more. Our service includes weekly linen and towel changes, weekly freshenup cleans, internet access, telephone and tariffs inclusive of utilities.

Conifers Guest House 116 The Slade, Headington Oxford OX3 7DX. Tel: 01865 763055. Web: www.conifersguesthouse.co.uk A 4 star Guest Accomodation located in Headington area of Oxford, Conifers offers en-suite bedrooms with free Wi- Fi internet access, flat screen multichannel TV’s and free parking.

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Oxfordshire Shopping Fairtrade at St Michaels The Basement, St Michael at the North Gate, Cornmarket Street, Oxford OX1 3EY Tel: 01865 722505 Web: www.fairtradeatstmichaels.co.uk Oxford’s Fairtrade at St Michaels is an Aladdin’s cave of goods. 76 different suppliers from around the world provide our diverse range of products – from quirky ornaments to functional homeware, stationery to skincare, artisan jewellery to children’s toys and clothing, plus an extensive range of delicious food. Fairtrade at St Michaels is a member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) and Cooperatives UK.

Stella & Dot Web: www.stelladot.co.uk A social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Our boutique-style jewellery and accessories line is available exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists and online. Get in touch with your local Independent Stylist, Jana Saunders, on 07763 743783 or visit www.stelladot.co.uk/janasaunders

Bicester Village 50 Pingle Dr, Bicester OX26 6WD. Tel: 01869 366266. Web: www.bicestervillage.com Discover a relaxed shopping haven in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, where spacious boutiques showcase the world’s leading fashion and lifestyle brands. Quality, attention to detail and five-star service are hallmarks of the Bicester Village shopping experience.

Wychwood Brewery Eagle Maltings, The Crofts, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 4DP Tel: 01993 890800 Web: www.wychwood.co.uk The Wychwood Brewery is tucked away behind the main street of the market town of Witney, in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Discover the brewing process of Wychwood & Brakspear Beers, from seeing the raw ingredients to the finished product during one of our 45 minute guided tours. After the tour you are invited to sample our flagship Legendary Hobgoblin and our range of Wychwood and Brakspear bottled beers.

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Shopping Review:

Wychwood Brewery Tour

Reviewed by Matthew Wright Sunday 12th June

No two Wychwood Brewery tours are the same, there being nine different part-time tour guides, each with their own specialist background. Tim Gunn was our appointed mentor, and as an ex-teacher, researcher and degree holder from both Oxford and Cambridge, he seemed well-qualified for the job. Oh, plus the fact that he reveres beer as well - as do all the other tour guides.

Beer is, at its heart, a very simple drink which has been brewed for centuries from the same four basic ingredients – water, malted barley (malt), hops, and yeast.

Here are a couple of interesting facts gleaned from our hour-long tour around the workings of the Brewery based in the heart of Witney: • • •

•

Beer is best served at 10 degrees (Tim conducts an interesting experiment in the Tasting Bar afterwards to prove this – be warned, he does like his experiments being an ex-teacher!)

Isinglass, used to help clear the beer, is made from the swim bladders of sturgeon fish (good trivia question) The water used is ‘Burtonised’ (I don’t think this is strictly speaking a technical term but it does has a nice ring to it!) to reduce the pH value from 7.0 (neutral) to 5.5 (slightly acidic), the ideal pH for brewing and, coincidentally, the exact pH found in Burton upon Trent in East Staffordshire In 2003, the Brewery was redeveloped to incorporate the famous Brakspear ‘Double Drop’ brewing equipment when the owners sold the existing Henley business

Afterwards, we retired to the Tasting Bar, a very cosy affair, festooned with dried hops, old beer advertising memorabilia and some rather grand photographs, including one of our Prime Minister drinking Hobgoblin whilst the US President clutches a non-descript American bottle. Anyway, here Tim poured out samples from seven (I think) different beers, inviting comparisons, providing food choice suggestions, oh and conducting the odd experiment or two.

There is of course much more to discover on the tour, but I’ll leave you to attend it yourself to find out more – no spoiler alerts here!

To book, have a look at the website – there are at least two tours (often more) every day on Saturday and Sunday, and one or two tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, all bookable online at £8.50 and including a free half pint glass. Oh, and do keep an eye out for special events, such as the Fathers’ Day Brewery Tour and Breakfast….just in case anybody is short of suggestions?!

Eagle Maltings, The Crofts, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 4DP Tel: 01993 890800 Web: www.wychwood.co.uk www.livinginoxford.com

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Didcot Railway Centre Wychwood Brewery Buscot Park & The Faringdon Collection Millets Farm Centre

5 Bicester Village 6 Blenheim Palace

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Oxfordshire Sport Oxford University Rugby Football Club Jackdaw Lane, Iffley Road, Oxford OX4 1SR. Tel: 01865 432000. Web: www.ourfc.org.uk Oxford University Rugby Football Club (OURFC) has a long and illustrious history of sporting distinction and remains one of the world's leading and most renowned amateur rugby clubs.

All home matches take place at the Iffley Road Stadium.

For further details please visit our website or call 01865 432000

Oxford United Football Club The Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Road, Oxford OX4 4XP. Tel: 01865 337533. Web: www.oufc.co.uk Oxford United Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Get Behind The U’s! Save money by booking your tickets before the day of the game. Get the latest news straight from Oxford United. Official team updates, match previews & reviews, transfer information and much more on our website.

Oxford City Football Club Marsh Ln, Oxford OX3 0NQ. Tel: 01865 744493. Web: www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk Oxford City FC has been in existence for at least 132 years. Oxford City FC is home to Oxford City Nomads, Oxford City Futsal, Oxford City Ladies & Girls, and Oxford City Casuals. Home games are held at Marsh Lane in Marston, near Oxford. Matchday admission and season tickets can be purchased at our website.

Frilford Heath Golf Club Oxford Rd, Frilford Heath, Abingdon OX13 5NW. Tel: 01865 390864. Web: www.frilfordheath.co.uk Frilford Heath is located to the South of Oxford on 500 acres of glorious undulating Heathland and is one of the best venues in the south of England; rarely can a club offer three championship golf courses (Red, Green and Blue) that allow the opportunity to revel in their classical or modern challenge!

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Oxfordshire Restaurants Asian Jee Saheb 15 North Parade Avenue, Oxford, OX2 6LX. Tel: (01865) 513773. Web: www.jeesaheb.co.uk With our restaurant we have created an ambience that will make you feel relaxed and welcomed. Our key aim is to use fresh produce and source it from local suppliers where possible. We offer no fuss, just classic Asian cuisine. You can enjoy our food in a main dining room, with a party of friends in our function room with a capacity of 28, or in our garden.

The Snooty Mehmaan Littleworth, Faringdon Oxfordshire SN7 8PW Tel: 01367 242 260 Web: www.thesnootymehmaan.co.uk Located in Faringdon, Oxford and surrounded by the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside. The restaurant itself holds many of the original buildings strong architectural features including original oak beams and flooring give the Snooty Mehmaan its strong and natural environment that amplifies both the mood and the creative food on offer.

Thaikhun Oxford 36 George Street, Oxford OX1 2BJ Email: oxford@thaikhun.co.uk Tel: 01865 591960. Web: www.thaikhun.co.uk Thaikhun quite literally brings Thailand to you! Thaikhun Oxford transports you directly to the bustle and quirky excitement of Asia's most famous eating experience, with mouthwatering dishes that bring Thai flavours to your table. Join us to enjoy Thai street food, catch up with friends, unwind after work and enjoy the sights and sounds while indulging in an unrivalled selection of delicious Thai delights. Now with our brand new Thai cookery school, we’re offering the complete Thai experience to enjoy with your family and friends.

Malikas 218 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UQ. Tel: 01865 723 029. Web: www.malikasrestaurant.co.uk In the middle of the buzzing area of Cowley Road, you will find Malikas, which guarantees a superior Indian cuisine experience! Modern decor, which seats 70, but still the atmosphere is cozy and relaxing.

COSMO Oxford Unit 9 Northgate Quarter, Magdalen Street, Oxford, OX1 3AD Tel: 01865 297575 Web: www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk With more than 150 dishes from around the world and various live cooking stations, COSMO Oxford will deliver seasonal menus from a global kitchen.

Whether you are looking for Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Mexican or Continental food, you'll be spoilt for choice. Best of all, eat all you like for ONE SET PRICE (prices vary depending on days and time).

Aziz Chequers 17A, Beaumont Road, Headington Quarry, Oxford, OX3 8JN Email: reservations@aziz.uk.com Tel: 01865 763321 Web: www.aziz.uk.com Aziz is now located at The Chequers Inn, Headington Quarry Oxford! Same food, with better facilities, free onsite parking and a beer garden. With our restaurant we have created and ambiance that will make you feel relaxed and welcomed and with our award winning team from the front of house staff to our award winning chefs who will offer you a great dinning experience.

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Past Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards Winner

Classic bangladeshi and indian cuisine ◆ Beautiful location with on-site car parking ◆ Lovely garden for dining and private functions ◆ Small and large parties catered for ◆ Superb sunday buffet with over 30 selections to choose from ◆ Take away and home delivery service available ◆ Free WIFI

Visit our website aziz.uk.com or call us on 01865 763321 Aziz Restaurant, Chequers 17A, Beaumont Road, Headington Quarry, Oxford, OX3 8JN

Contemporary Acanthus Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LN. Tel: 01865 256410. Web: www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk/randolph The restaurant at the Macdonald Randolph Hotel has recently just won its second AA rosette for its cuisine and features contemporary menus in an unrivalled setting with fabulous views of the city. If a more relaxed atmosphere is desired for a quiet drink then the Morse Bar provides a peaceful environment in which you can relax and unwind in after a busy day.

Jury’s Inn Godstow Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 8AL Tel: 01865 489 988 Web: www.jurysinns.com Our Oxford hotel offers a range of places to enjoy food and drink from coffee and cocktails to grazing boards and an À la carte menu. Our Medio Brasserie offers a mouth-watering menu, the Medio Bar can rustle up fruity cocktails and more, or you can enjoy a light bite at the Cappuccino Lounge.

The Feathers Market Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1SX. Tel: 01993 812291. Web: www.feathers.co.uk Eating and drinking is at the heart of The Feathers experience. The awardwinning Restaurant serves the best of modern English cuisine and locally sourced ingredients – light and fresh in summer, rich and robust in winter.

A more informal Bar is open all day for coffee, lunch, cream tea and supper.

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Oxfordshire Restaurants

1855 Oxford 4 Oxford Castle, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY Tel: 01865 247 217 Web: www.1855oxford.com We are open from dawn to dusk, serving eclectic and exceptional wines, carefully matched seasonal produce and fantastic wood roasted coffees.

At 1855, taste is everything. Our food and drink menus are carefully chosen to enhance each other and inspire you to try something new. Our staff are friendly, happy and service focused. Together they have in-depth knowledge on our wine and food offerings.

Cherwell Boathouse Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6ST. Tel: 01865 552746. Web: www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk Beautifully located by the river Cherwell. Fine food and renowned wine list (2010 Fine Wine list of the Year) Open lunch and dinner 7 days a week Marquee and terrace available for private hire. Week day lunch menu available 2 courses from £13.50. Al fresco dining available.

Bear & Ragged Staff 28 Appleton Rd, Cumnor, Oxford OX2 9QH. Tel: 01865 862329. Web: www.bearandraggedstaff.com Whether you are looking for a simple sandwich or businessman’s lunch, a romantic dinner for two or a full on three course meal with wine, port liqueurs and coffee, we have the solution. If you want to hold that special family gathering or a sit down banquet for 80, we can accommodate and tailor our offering to your requirements.

The Oxford Kitchen 215 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7HQ. Tel: 01865 511 149. Web: www.theoxfordkitchen.co.uk The Oxford Kitchen’s reputation for fine modern British cuisine is built around the inspired creations of Executive Chef John Footman, whose food has the critics talking. Dishes on our à la carte and set menus have been carefully designed for their sensory appeal and exquisite flavour combinations. Recognised as a leader among the best dining outlets in the city, The Oxford Kitchen provides a full café service in a contemporary, intimate setting, offering breakfasts, morning coffees, specialty teas, snacks and a specially developed children’s menu.

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Oxfordshire Restaurants Traditional The Beetle and Wedge Ferry Lane Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX10 9JF. Tel: 01491 651381. Web: www.beetleandwedge.co.uk The Restaurant offers a warm and friendly atmosphere and a magical combination of fabulous food, an idyllic location and great service - our mission is to ensure your time with us is as enjoyable as possible. Families are important to us at The Beetle & Wedge Boathouse and children are always welcome, we can adapt our menus to suit most tastes and provide highchairs where necessary. If you have any special requirements please contact us.

Spanish Al-Andalus Tapas Bar Little Clarendon Street, Oxford. OX1 2HS. Tel: 01865 516 688. Web: www.tapasoxford.co.uk Our menus are bursting with Spanish flavours and cooked in a traditional style, a great way to enjoy the true taste of Spain! So forget the traditional way of ordering meals with starters and main courses and treat yourself to a Spanish banquet.

Patisserie Gatineau 209 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford. OX2 7HQ. Tel: 01865 311 779. Web: www.gatineau.uk.com Situated in the upmarket Summertown area of Oxford, Gatineau patisserie offers the finest artisan produce in the French/ European patisserie and boulangerie tradition: premium cakes, pastries, savouries and bread - all made with the highest quality ingredients, creative flair, taste combinations and attention to detail.

Nightlife Angels Little Clarendon Street, Oxford. OX1 2HS. Tel: 01865 544244. Web: www.angelsbar.co.uk Step into Angels and journey through cocktail history. Choose between the first vintage mixes or new trends perfected in the Angels laboratry, all carefully crafted by our expert bartenders.

French Pierre Victoire 9 Little Clarendon St, Oxford OX1 2HP. Tel: 01865 316616. Web: www.pierrevictoire.co.uk Enjoy our authentically cooked, traditional dishes in an informal environment at reasonable prices, the way the French do… Choose from a variety of fixed price menus, which we change with the seasons, focusing on local, fresh produce! We offer a 3 course lunch or early Pre Theatre supper for £11.50 and an evening 3 course Prix Fixe for £23.50! We love parties whether its Christenings, Birthdays, Graduations or even Retirements, offer an incredible £21.00 menu, and can cater for groups up to 60 ...! Rustic and friendly, with lots of candles, providing great food, value and service!

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Past Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards Winner

Café Greens Cafe 50 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LU. Tel: 01865 316 878. Web:www.greenscafe.co.uk At Greens everything is freshly made and we use Organic, Free Range and Fairtrade produce. We cater for everyone’s taste including vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free foods. Greens Cafe has a friendly relaxed atmosphere with lots of seating available upstairs with free Wi-Fi also available.

Café Loco 85-87 St Aldate’s, City Centre, Oxford OX1 1RA Tel: 01865 200959 Web: www.goingloco.com A 5 minute walk from the centre of Oxford brings you to this beautiful cafe serving delicious food throughout the day with views of Christ Church and its meadow. Lewis Carrolls ‘Alice in Wonderland’ has inspired Cafe Locos Mad Hatters Tea Party. Come and have a cream tea and experience the best coffee in Oxford as you visit the city and enjoy its amazing History.

La Cucina are now offering a fantastic takeaway service!

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Oxfordshire Restaurants Café Aloha 11 The Square, West Way Shopping Centre, Botley, Oxford, OX2 9LH. Tel: 01865 792696. Web: www.cafealoha.co.uk Traditional and stylish décor provides a mixture of a sophisticated ambience combined with the fantastic food and friendly staff, makes for an eating experience.

Italian La Cucina 39-40 St. Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AB. Tel: 01865 793811. Web: www.lacucinaoxford.co.uk The open kitchen allows customers to see chefs at work, tossing pizza and preparing daily specials from 11am - 10.30pm. The menu changes seasonally and caters for all - families and those looking for an authentic italian dining experience in relaxed surroundings. Open front in Summer months.

Marco’s New York Italian Oxford 73 High St, Oxford OX1 4BE. Tel: 01865 248695.

Web: www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/marcos-oxford This stunning Marco Pierre White restaurant is located at number 73 on High Street in the centre of Oxford. Serving an array of mouthwatering dishes from Italian sharing platters, fresh fish, home-made pizza and pasta to New York favourites such as succulent steaks, burgers and Marco’s tasty BBQ ribs and lazy fries. The restaurant and bar offers something for everyone. With a big bar area, this all-day venue is the perfect place to enjoy lunch or dinner or simply pop-in for a light bite or drinks.

Our menus are bursting with Spanish flavours and cooked in a traditional style, a great way to enjoy the true taste of Spain!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10 LITTLE CLARENDON STREET | OXFORD | OX1 2HP 01865 516 688 | TAPASOXFORD.CO.UK

FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN TO THE MIDDLE EAST

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 67 WALTON STREET | OXFORD | OX2 6AG 01865 559 668 | MEZZETO.COM

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Past Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards Winner

The Feathers Visit us for good food and to enjoy our Guinness Book of Records™ Gin Bar. 351 bottles and counting!

The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock OX20 1SX www.feathers.co.uk 01993 812291 Located by Blenheim Palace

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Sunday Brunch Menu (£19.95 per person / £9.95 for children) Opening Hours: 12.30pm - 4pm Soup & Appetizers: Soup of the day; A selection of unlimited hors d'oeuvres from the chef's salad table Brunch: The Mal eggs Benedict; Malted blueberry pancakes; California eggs; The Mal big brunch breakfast Main Plats: Classic Mal burger; Pan fried wild sea trout; Smoked haddock fish cake; Veggie burger; Fresh pea risotto; The Mal sunday roasts (Prime rib of Black Angus beef or Half a roast Normandy corn-fed chicken) Dessert: Rhubarb & custard; Apple & blackberry pie; A selection of artisan cheeses; Classic vanilla creme brulee; Sticky toffee pudding; The Mal hot chocolate 48

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Restaurant Review:

Malmaison, Oxford

Reviewed by Lucy Howard Monday 13th June

Expertly and elegantly transformed from a former prison, Malmaison has sat regally in Oxford’s castle complex for over ten years now, and its popularity shows no sign of abating.

In addition to 95 luxurious rooms in the former cells (a little different to what the prisoners were used to), the Brasserie restaurant has become a local hotspot, and is the life and soul of the hotel. On Sundays, it pulls out all the stops with a lavish brunch, which offers an unlimited buffet, a selection from the brunch or main course menu, and a dessert – and you can eat as much as you like and linger as long as you like, and this, alongside exceptional staff who look after you from start to finish, makes for a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere.

On the heaving buffet table you’ll find a a selection of unlimited hors d'oeuvres. After trying as many dishes as we could, we followed the buffet with delicate eggs benedict with perfectly yellow yolks, prime roast beef with a thyme and rosemary Yorkshire pudding, which came with tasty baby vegetables and gravy, and a smoked haddock fish cake with a poached egg on top, accompanied by a delicious honey and mustard sauce.

After all that, we were getting satisfyingly full, but as it was all so good, we couldn’t resist a dessert to finish, and they certainly didn’t disappoint either – a classic sticky toffee pudding with pecan caramel sauce, an apple and blackberry pie with custard, served at the table, and an ingenious hot chocolate pudding which came with a cup overflowing with vanilla ice cream, white chocolate and marshmallows, with a hot chocolate sauce for pouring on top – children will love this one! We washed this down with carafes of red and white wine and some chilled prosecco, followed by excellent coffee.

As well as wonderful food and an innovative menu with more than enough variety to suit everyone, Malmaison’s Sunday brunch is outstanding value too (£19.95 for adults, £9.95 for children). As well as making sure you arrive hungry and with an empty stomach, I also recommend enjoying cocktails in the stylish bar upstairs before or after your brunch (especially the mojito).

Malmaison, 3 New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY Tel: 01865 689944 Web: www.malmaison.com www.livinginoxford.com

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All Change at Quod

Written by Richard Rosser Wednesday 15th June

The refurbished Quod Restaurant & Bar reopened earlier this year following a concentrated six week refurbishment, with the highlights a brand new bar, kitchen and menu.

Before casting our eye over the new menu, we were knocked out by the new bar, not literally, but it’s a stunning focal point which helps to open up the central part of the restaurant which, hitherto, had been a panelled area for staff to congregate. By opening up the bar, the atmosphere has been enhanced, not that it needed a boost as it’s already undoubtedly one of Oxford’s most popular and vibrant restaurants.

The new look menu combines European classics with a strong presence of the finest seasonal British produce. I particularly enjoyed my Avocado vinaigrette with crab and Salmon fishcakes with lemon butter sauce. The restaurant blackboards announces daily specials, with roast beef, lamb or pork available on Sundays, from the owners Rofford Farm whenever available.

Founder, Jeremy Mogford is known for many of Oxford’s most iconic settings, including the Old Parsonage Hotel, Gee’s Restaurant, the Old Bank Hotel and Quod, which he opened in 1998. ‘Quod has always been ‘all things to all people’, attracting the widest range of customers, great for a quick bite, an after-work cocktail, a long lunch on the terrace or perfect for a special occasion. I feel that it’s been absolutely imperative to retain everything we love about Quod, yet taking this opportunity to make it even better’ says Jeremy. ‘We look forward to welcoming back our huge following of regular customers to join us for a drink at our new bar, where they can continue to admire their favourite paintings by young, prominent British artists’.

92 - 94 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ | 01865 202 505 | www.quod.co.uk 50

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Oxfordshire Cinema July Film Releases Select highlights of films on in Oxford and Oxfordshire over this month. Please see inoxford.com for more details and trailers. Tweet us what you think of this months releases @inoxford

The BFG Sophie is an imaginative little girl living in an orphanage in London; every night, she stays up past the witching hour waiting for something magical to happen. But nothing ever does. That is, until she hears noises in the darkness. A ruckus in the alleyway, a massive hand reaching towards her, the adventure begins.

Central Intelligence Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson) is a lethal CIA agent, but things haven’t always been this way. A once bullied and overweight child, Stone returns to his former campus for a school reunion. But what his classmates don’t know is that he is also on a top-secret case, filled with double crossings and espionage. Calvin (Kevin Hart) is an accountant, but alike to his schoolmate, Bob, his life has also taken a few twists and turns.

Finding Dory Everyone’s favourite forgetful fish is back in action, and this time, she has her own film. Set just six months after the events of the first film, Finding Dory centres on the forgetful blue fish’s search for her family, after she recalls several childhood memories in a dream. Accompanied by Nemo and his father, Marlin, their journey takes them all the way to Monterey, California, where she encounters several sea life creatures who are able to help her.

Ice Age: Collision Course Scrat’s infinite pursuit of the elusive acorn is about to have a greater effect than ever before, as he’s catapulted into space. He unintentionally causes a chain reaction of cosmic events that are about to threaten life on Earth.

Looking to save themselves from this newly-created danger, the classic crew of Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest leave their homeland in search of a safe haven.

The Legend of Tarzan John Clayton III, the man formerly known as Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), is living a life of luxury with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie) by his side, years after he was bound to the jungles of Africa. Much has changed in the world of Tarzan, and the two are living contently with one another. That is until he is invited back to The Congo to serve as a trade emissary of parliament.

The Purge: Election Year One night where anything goes. Twelve hours of total anarchy. A seemingly endless stretch of darkness, and the sun will rise over carnage and blood.

Each year, the Purge takes hold of America, and for a short period of time, there are no rules. Even murder is legal. It’s been fifteen years since the brutal massacre that claimed the lives of her entire family, and Charlie Roan (Elizabeth Mitchell) is determined to get her revenge.

The Space Between Us Sixteen-year-old Gardener Elliot (Asa Butterfield) has had what you might call an unusual childhood. It all begins when his mother, an astronaut, learns she is pregnant shortly after she and her team set off on a journey to attempt to colonise Mars. Too late to turn back, Gardener becomes the first human to be born in outer space – and he begins his extraordinary life on the red planet.

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Oxfordshire Health & Beauty Diamond House - Dental Practice 199 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7AR. Tel: 01865 559521.

Web: www.diamondhouse.co.uk It is our aim to provide the highest quality of Dental Care in a relaxed and friendly environment, with the most up to date methods and equipment available. The safety and comfort of our patients is always our primary concern.

Clinic 95 95 West Way, Botley, Oxford, OX2 9JY Tel: 01865 241662 Web: www.clinic95.com Our experienced dental professionals pride themselves on their gentle approach to dental care. Our aim is to improve your dental wellbeing in friendly, relaxed surroundings with a thorough and unhurried service that is second to none. We offer all the private treatments you would expect, including comprehensive health checks, white fillings and preventive hygiene therapy, as well as an extensive range of cosmetic treatments, such as tooth whitening, implants, porcelain crowns & veneers and orthodontics for a great smile makeover. Nervous patients are particularly welcome at Clinic95 and our reassuring sedation techniques help aid relaxation.

Oxford Brookes Centre for Sport Headington Campus, Gipsy Ln, Oxford, OX3 0BP Tel: 01865 484373 Web: www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport Whether new to a gym or looking to keep or develop your health and fitness, the Oxford Brookes Sports Centre and Health Suite is the ideal starting point to get in shape and stay fit. For anyone looking to gain the winning edge through superior exercise our free weights room has everything you need.

Tara Tripp Hearing Sandford Gate, Oxford OX4 6LB. Tel: 01865 910202 Web: www.tripphearing.co.uk We are an independent family run private healthcare practice covering Oxfordshire and the surrounding area. Our hearing healthcare practice has earned an excellent reputation in Oxford and the surrounding areas for providing a wide range of digital hearing aids and also for our unique microsuction ear wax removal clinic.

Leisure Club and Spa at The Randolph Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LN Tel: 01865 256 400 Web: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk At Macdonald Randolph Hotel and Spa, we provide you with the perfect oasis to unwind and relax. Our calm and tranquil spa provides the most luxurious of retreats from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Voted amongst the top 50 best spas in the world, our facilities provide you with the perfect environment for a workout and Oxford’s golf courses, parks and rivers offer hours of leisure-time activities.

Spa at Jurys Inn Oxford Godstow Road, Oxford, OX2 8AL Tel: 01865 489 988 Web: www.jurysinns.com Relax, unwind and let us pamper you in the tranquil surroundings of the beauty rooms at Jurys Inn Hotel, or get fit at The Health & Leisure Club at Jurys Inn (open to hotel guests and members). Facilities: 2 beauty rooms with a range of treatments, Fitness suite, Splash pool, Sauna, Steam room, Squash courts.

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Health & Beauty Review:

Sanctuary at

Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Reviewed by Richard Rosser Monday 6th June

Monday’s are normally busy days in the office, but I afforded myself a rare day off in view of my rather exhausting day the day after running my second London Marathon. I wasn’t going to turn down GM Michael Grange’s kind offer of a post Marathon massage in the Randolph’s impressive spa, so at 2pm, Tina and I arrived for our first of two treatments, a deep and soothing massage and a chilled glass of champagne.

The spa at Macdonald Randolph Hotel is dimly lit throughout, smells wonderful and is, embarrassments aside, intoxicatingly relaxing. My massage was perfect with ailing limbs soothed and memories of marathons and a stressful week preparing for a large event ebbing away in equal measure. Bob Geldof wouldn’t have written anything disparaging about Mondays had he experienced my Monday at the Randolph and we hadn’t even got going.

Following the massage and facial (I was told I looked hours younger!), and Tina’s “Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow” treatment, we made our way to our luxurious room overlooking Beaumont Street and all that effort expended in the spa had given us both an appetite for some tea and cake and our second glass of champagne! How very English and how perfectly relaxing. Tea at the Randolph couldn’t have been more appropriate and set us up wonderfully for dinner in the recently opened Acanthus Restaurant.

Following extensive renovation, Acanthus and the new Cartoon Bar have added a superb extra dimension to Oxford’s leading hotel. With direct access to the restaurant and bar from the road (and no need to go through the hotel reception), the dynamics of what was considered a hotel restaurant only have now changed for the better. The Cartoon Bar is a great destination for a light lunch and a glass of fizz or a chilled glass of wine after work. Decorated to the highest spec, the bar is a massively positive addition to the Randolph and Oxford.

But we were there for dinner and a quick nose around the new restaurant layout. Retaining many features of the original restaurant, Acanthus builds on these with excellent new aspects such as the chef’s table with a window into the stunning new kitchen and a cozy dining area adjacent to the chef’s table.

The food was in keeping with the excellence we had experience so far. The new menu is diverse yet containing many favourites to satisfy all tastes. Not only that but it’s incredible value for money. The service was also impeccable and we managed to enjoy a few more glasses of champagne and chilled white wine to accompany our meals.

Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LN Tel: 01865 256410 Web: www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk/randolph www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Services Travel Chiltern Railways Tel: 08456 005 165 Web: www.chilternrailways.co.uk We run scheduled passenger services along the M40 corridor between London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone to Aylesbury via Amersham along the London Underground Metropolitan line.

We also run our operations as far as Kidderminster and services between Stratford-upon-Avon and London. Why not take a look at some of the great value fares that they have on offer at www.chilternrailways.co.uk/tickets-and-fares. Our advance tickets start from as little as £6 and you can even get this ticket delivered to your mobile phone!

Accountants Wellers 8 King Edward Street Oxford OX1 4HL Tel: 01865 723 131 Web: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk Wellers is a firm of accountants who work with entrepreneurs, business owners and private individuals to deliver quality advice and solutions that help them fulfil their aspirations. Passionate about helping people and their organisations, Wellers can draw upon 70 years experience to support and advise clients on growing their businesses and protecting their wealth.

Construction, Maintenance & Renovations Savvy 253 London Road Headington Oxford OX3 9EH. Tel: 01865 920020 / 01865 920040 Web: www.group-savvy.co.uk The driving force behind some of the most prestigious construction and renovation projects in the oxfordshire area and beyond. Providing exceptional quality homes and properties on time and on budget. We work with landlords, property owners, developers and key stake holders across commercial, industry, education, healthcare, sport and leisure and private homes.

Food Delivery Deliveroo Email: support@deliveroo.co.uk Web: www.deliveroo.co.uk To bring you meals from high-quality restaurants with a transparent, speedy delivery service, courteous, friendly drivers and unparalleled customer service. We don’t want you eating low-quality pizza, kebabs, Chinese and curries just because you can’t make it out to your favourite restaurants we’re here to bring quality restaurants directly to you.

Hairdressers H.I.M 66 St.Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AH. Tel: 01865 249 740. Web: www.himoxford.co.uk H.I.M is all about quality hairdressing in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The H.I.M team is young and friendly with many years experince in the trade. We focus on our clients as individuals and deliver a high quality service at a reasonable price. New customers are always welcome in the H.I.M salon which provides a modern setting and a friendly atmosphere.

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Want to feel this good? Take part in our Santas on the Run event this year.

Contact fundraising@helenanddouglas.org.uk for more details.

www.livinginoxford.com

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Oxfordshire Services Care Homes The Lady Nuffield Home 165 Banbury Rd, Oxford, Oxfordshire County OX2 7AW. Tel: 01865 888500. Web: www.ladynuffieldhome.co.uk The Lady Nuffield Home is a small residential home for elderly men and women and aims to provide a high standard of care, based on the individual needs of the resident whilst enabling them to remain as independent as possible.

Oxford Beaumont Care Community Bayworth Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford, OX1 5DF. Tel: 01865 730 990. Web: www.barchester.com Oxford Beaumont provides a happy and relaxed lifestyle in the heart of Boars Hill, with its scenic surroundings. Oxford city is close-by for shops, cafes and The New Theatre. Nonetheless our extensive gardens are quiet and peaceful, giving the home a feeling of space and tranquility. We offer a homely environment and the support of first class 24-hour nursing care, helping to manage disabilities such as Parkinson’s disease and sensory impairment. We provide personally tailored levels of care, helping people to enjoy life with support but as independently as possible.

Funeral Directors Greens Funeral Services 21 High Street Eynsham, Oxford Tel: 01865 880837 8 Bridge Street Witney, Oxford Tel: 01993 776486 Established in 1866, we are an independent family business with five generations of experience, offering a dignified 24 hour service with our personal attention to detail. Our private chapels of rest are available for visitings and prayer if required. Golden Charter pre-paid plans also available.

Property Finders Keepers 226 Banbury Road, Summertown, OX2 7BY Tel: 01865 311011 Web: www.finders.co.uk Finders Keepers is a letting and property management agency covering Oxfordshire and the surrounding area. We deliver a comprehensive service from search and acquisition through furnishing and refurbishment to letting and property management. Since our foundation in 1972, we’ve built a reputation for professionalism, rigorous processes and responsiveness.

Breckon & Breckon 274 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7DY. Tel: 01865 310300. Web: www.breckon.co.uk An independent firm of Estate Agents est. in 1947 operating from a network of six offices in Oxfordshire offering properties for sale or for rent. We are property professionals with many years of experience in the local market.

Strutt and Parker 269 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 7LL Tel: 01865 366660 Web: www.struttandparker.com Strutt & Parker’s estate agents and property consultants work in partnership with clients to deliver their goals – whether their interests are in residential, commercial, rural or development property.

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Visit the no. 1 site for What’s On in Oxford

Studio 8 8 Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1AA. Tel: 01865 842525. Web: www.s8.co.uk Studio8 was started by Clark and Brooke Wiseman in 2003 and has grown to become one of Oxfordshire’s best known creative studios. We provide a collection of services for both businesses and families. We work throughout the UK on many shoots and also throughout the world. Please get in touch to speak to us about your next project.

Law Hedges Law 16 Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0AE Tel: 01865 594265 Web: www.hedgeslaw.co.uk Hedges has been delivering legal solutions to our clients for over 200 years. Our highly skilled team of lawyers have the knowledge and expertise to resolve even the most complex legal issues that you bring to us. At Hedges, however, we recognise you aren’t just looking for history, an impressive CV and an ability to recite the law.

Charities Leukaemia Research Twitter: twitter.com/beatbloodcancer Web: www.leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk We are Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, your UK blood cancer charity. Every year we stop more people dying of blood cancer and our researchers are even working to stop people developing blood cancer in the first place. We improve the lives of blood cancer patients with cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma because we believe everyone should be able to live their life to the full.

Thinking of Oscar Twitter: twitter.com/thinkingofoscar Email: thinkingofoscar@gmail.com Web: www.thinkingofoscar.com Thinking of Oscar is an Oxfordshire based charity set up in memory of Oscar Cole who died unexpectedly aged just 16 months in June 2014. The mission of the charity is to improve the experiences of children and their families in hospital care. The current campaign is to fund a new procedures unit into the John Radcliffe Children's Hospital, Oxford. This will benefit hundreds and hundreds of children each year by ensuring that simple operations take place within the familiar environment of the children's hospital.

On Sunday 5th June Oscar's parents, alongside 85 other family and friends, will both be participating in the Blenheim Triathlon in order to raise the £100,000 required to build the unit.

Please come along on the day to lend your support to the team who will be starting out at 1:30pm or sponsor them direct at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DandHTOOFundraising2016.

To find out more about the work of Thinking of Oscar please go to www.thinkingofoscar.com