Newsletter
Volunteer
February 2015
Welcome Welcome to the latest edition of the Volunteers’ Newsletter. This is a lighter issue going forward into the year, most likely needed after all the excitement of Christmas and New Year. In this edition, we have a member of our volunteer and newsletter team to congratulate and we learn more about the history of Oxford, namely the development of the Plain and St. Clements. Allison Barnes is in the Mayor’s Chair this month and there are also some exciting events to take part in!
Firstly, we would like to offer huge congratulations to Peter Simpson on his award! On February 4th, Peter, a long-time volunteer at the Museum of Oxford and author of Mayor’s Chair, received an Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action Individual Volunteer Award. This award is given to celebrate and highlight a particular volunteer’s commitment to service as well as their energy and passion. It also recognises how their work has benefited a service, organisation or community. Peter has done exceptionally well to win this and everyone at the Museum of Oxford is proud of his achievement. As a follow up to this, next month’s Mayor’s Chair will be taken on by Peter, himself.
A Congrats is in Order!
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More of Oxford’s History Revealed - Two Clements, a Toll House and a Fountain
Page 3 Mayor’s Chair Exclusive story of Allison Barnes.
Page 4 What’s On? Join us for the exciting celebration of our 40th
anniversary celebra6ons!
A Call Out Interested in Contributing to MoOFs or the Newsletter? Page 5
Email david.juler@oxford.gov.uk to find out more
More of Oxford’s History Revealed - Two Clements, a Toll House and a Fountain The postcard below shows a coloured drawing of the toll gate and the original St Clement’s Church which stood where the Plain roundabout is now.
The Plain acquired its name when St Clement’s Church was removed from this site, leaving a wide open expanse surrounded by buildings. On the right of this picture is Magdalen College School, built by Sir Arthur Blomfield in 1894; straight ahead is the Cape of Good Hope pub, rebuilt in 1892; and on the left is the Victoria Fountain, built in 1899 on the site of the former St Clement’s toll house. Designed by E.P. Warren and paid for by G.H. Morrell, it was a belated commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria that had taken place in 1897, and
The parish of St Clement’s, at the point where the roads into Oxford converge to cross Magdalen Bridge, lay outside the city of Oxford until 1835. The parish dates from Anglo-Saxon times, referred to in Ethelred’s charter 1004 AD as ‘the three hides beyond Cherwell Bridge’ (approximately 360 acres). The medieval manor stretched from the bridge southwards along the Cherwell eastwards to the top of Headington Hill and south to Cowley, roughly following the line of today’s Cowley Road. The original church of St Clement stood in the centre of the medieval village on the Plain from some time before 1122AD, originally founded as a royal chapel. By 1829 when this church was demolished and a new St Clement’s built nearby (see below), the open area surrounded by buildings became known as The Plain, the name it retains today. Until the 17th century the settlement was known as BRUGGESET (Bridge-set), indicating the site of the important river crossing which gave access to the city from the capital. The settlement was known as Bolshipton, farmed by the Bolles family from the thirteenth century, and their cow bier (shippon) probably occupied the site opposite the Black Horse Inn. From 1642, a substantial number of properties in the area, including the family house, Bolshipton House, were demolished to make way for the civil war fortifications. From this time the area expanded rapidly as traders and craftsmen settled outside the city boundary thus avoiding the expensive city taxes. From this time poverty as well as high population became features of St Clement’s as closely-packed tenement houses in Oxford were demolished and the homeless sought refuge in the less expensive suburb. A cramped network of narrow streets and courts developed between St Clement’s and the river, which by 1800 contained four hundred inhabitants, by 1824, two thousand, and continued to increase from then on. Facilities were nonexistent; pumped water was only installed after a severe cholera epidemic in 1832 and mains drainage followed in 1854 after the parish had been annexed to the city in 1835. The increasingly-used highway to London had become virtually impassable by this time, due to its inadequate maintenance by the impoverished St Clement’s parishioners. As a solution to this, a turnpike was set up on the Plain by the Turnpike Trust, established c1771, which guaranteed the upkeep of major roads. The toll house stood in front of the churchyard of St Clement’s Church
and tolls levied for use of the road. There was a left hand gate controlling the traffic to Headington, and a right-hand one for the traffic to Cowley and Iffley. The new St Clement’s Church was built on land in Nacklingcroft Meadow, the first church in Oxford to be built on an entirely new site since the Reformation. The church, designed by Daniel Robertson, is an interesting example of an abortive Romanesque revival, inspired, it is said, by Iffley’s church. Although its setting was universally admired, the building itself did not appeal to contemporary taste; it was called 'the boiled rabbit'. The new church was built at a cost of £6,500 raised mainly by public subscription. The project aroused widespread interest in the university as 'the first church in Oxford to be built on a new site since the Reformation'. Keble, Pusey, Heber, and Peel were among the subscribers. In 1868, with the Turnpike Trust’s abolition, the toll house was closed. Its installation had not been popular locally, with regular toll evasion occurring, and, in 1869 it was sold to Mr Fruin of Toot Baldon who dismantled and removed it; no information survives on whether or not it was reerected after the sale. The Victoria Fountain and its accompanying ornate Jubilee Clock marking Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, now stands in the centre of the Plain on the site of the toll house. Its design, commissioned by the Morrell family, incorporates a fountain that doubled as a horse trough (its water not now running) and has an inscription (translated from Latin), situated under the clock face: ‘The water falls, the hour goes by, be wise and drink, seize the swift-flying time.’ Dating from 1122, it was described by Thomas Hearne as “a very pretty little church”. It was not big enough for the increasing population of St Clement’s, however, and in 1828 it was demolished and a new church built on Hacklingcroft Meadow on the Marston Road. The three bells from this old church (one dating from the thirteenth century and the oldest bell in Oxford) were taken to the new church. Its old churchyard disappeared when the Plain roundabout was constructed in 1950. The toll gate on the left marks the start of the new London turnpike road, which was created in the late eighteenth century when the existing road (which previously stopped short at the top of Headington Hill) was turnpiked.
Prue Drew 2
exclusive story
In the Mayor’s chair Allison Barnes As a folly hunter Allison has travelled the UK and beyond in search of buildings that have no purpose but were built purely for pleasure. Being born in Canterbury, Allison is a Maid of Kent and she grew up and went to school in the county. After ‘A’ levels Allison went to Cambridge’s Anglia Ruskin College to study a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Physics. After returning to Kent she went to Christ Church College, Canterbury to be trained to become a teacher. Allison taught for two years in a local secondary school before returning to the University of Kent to do a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology. It was then back into teaching in the early 90’s and for the next 14 years, Allison taught Science and Maths in two more secondary modern schools in Kent. Then came the Union. Trade Unionism
is very important to Allison, instilled into her by her policeman father. Allison joined ATL – the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and has been a local branch officer and school rep for 19 years looking after the rights of teachers and their support staff. After 2 years teaching in Hertfordshire Allison then spent 7 years teaching in Abingdon. During this period, she took on a national role with ATL, becoming the N a t i o n a l E xe c u t i ve m e m b e r representing the whole of its Oxfordshire members, and has recently increased to include Buckinghamshire as well. Last year Allison retired from teaching after 23 years in the profession and is now looking to start a new and exciting journey by making a career in museums and museum learning. In order to get experience in this field she joined the Museum of Oxford as a volunteer as well as joining the University of Oxford Museums & Collections Volunteer Service and is attending training with them in their HLF Skills for the Future
programme. Allison has been going to many interviews recently so will probably soon be seen working in a museum near you. At a recent interview Allison was given 30 seconds to explain all about Lalique (fine moulded French glass objects) of which she is an avid collector having at home a collection of over a hundred pieces. Allison also collects fashion dolls as well as Art Deco objects. Her home, she says, has become a museum on its own and she is the curator. As well as working in Explore Oxford, Allison is also the treasurer of the newly forming MoOFs (Museum of Oxford Friends). Allison and her husband live in Headington and if you are passing through the area and hear a beautiful sound then it is probably Allison on her trumpet which she plays for both the Oxford Studio O rc h e s t r a a n d t h e C o w l ey Orchestra.
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What’s On? At the Museum
Elsewhere
2015 Dancin’ Oxford Festival
City of Oxford Orchestra’s 50th Birthday Concert
27th Feb – 9th March
Friday 27th February, £32/£23/£15/£10, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Sheldonian Theatre
The Museum of Oxford and Town Hall are collabora6ng with this year’s Dance Fes6val. Dancin’ Oxford brings you a fes6val programme which not only includes a host of performances but plenty of opportuni6es to take part. Research has shown that dance and physical ac6vity energise not only the body but also the mind, so to make sure you can get involved, we have put
together a programme that comprises workshops in the morning, at lunch 6me and at the end of the day. Whether a complete beginner or keen d a n c e e n t h u s i a s t , w h y n o t t r y something different? Go on -‐ #DOit! Pick up a fes6val brochure or go to www.dancinoxford.co.uk
Come along and celebrate with them! Experience a marvellous concert, featuring Roland Roberts, Peter Adams and Stephan Bell.
Oxford Literary Festival While They’re Away: The Story of a city at war
22nd – 29th March, Various LocaHons
12th – 14th March, £5/£4 concessions, 7:30pm on 12th & 13th, 2:30pm & 7:30pm on 14th, The Old Museum This new play by Jeremy Allen is based on real-‐life accounts of ‘the home front’ in Oxford during the First World War. It gives the audience a new perspec6ve on the role Oxford played, and vividly brings to life the experiences of local p e o p l e , m a n y o f w h o m w e r e permanently changed by the ‘Great War’. Jeremy Allen drew his material from his work with local residents and archive material and among the beRer known characters encountered are Siegfried Sassoon and Lady ORoline Morrell. The role of many of Oxford’s
iconic buildings is also revealed – all playing their part in the greater drama. The play is being staged at Oxford Town Hall which was used as a WWI military hospital. A n U n d e r C o n s t r u c 6 o n T h e a t r e produc6on in partnership with the Museum of Oxford. Created as part of the Lost Voices of Oxford’s Great War, a community project to uncover the city’s untold First World War stories. Generously funded by the Heritage LoRery.
Oxford’s Literary Fes6val boasts a huge variety of events and ac6vi6es for everyone, along with a hoast of famous names giving talks and interviews. Some of the names include Johnny Duddle, illustrator of the new set of Harry PoKer book Jackets, Mary Hoffman, author of the
Stravaganza series and Bill Oddie, author, actor, comedian and bird-‐ watcher. Go to www.oxfordliteraryfes6val.org for more informa6on about 6ckets and events.
Book your ticket now! (all MoO volunteers are entitled to the £4 concessionary rate and all proceeds go towards Museum of Oxford development) Ticket office: 01865 305305 Or buy online at www.oxfordplayhouse.com/6cketsoxford Or in person at the Oxford Playhouse Box Office Contributors: Pure Drew, Peter Simpson, Felicity Hammond, Antonia Harland-Lang Art Editor: Yi Wu Editor: Felicity Hammond
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Could you help support a compelling new play which brings Oxford’s WW1 history to life?
Over the past few months, the Museum of Oxford has been working on an exciting project with the UnderConstruction Theatre Company as well as some local people, to uncover Oxford’s First World War stories. Following a series of creative community workshops last autumn, in which a number of MoO volunteers took part, local playwright Jeremy Allen has written an original play which will be performed in the Old Museum, 12-14 March 2015. We are looking for volunteers to help welcome audience members to the performances, take tickets and help out with the bar during the interval. Ideally, volunteers will be able to commit to 2 performances and attend a short briefing with the stage manager on Wednesday 11 March or Thursday 12 March (time tbc). There is also the opportunity to get involved in setting up a small display which will accompany the performance and to help out sourcing additional props and materials. Please contact Antonia (aharland-lang@oxford.gov.uk or 01865 252118) by Friday 20 February if you would like to help out. Thank you very much to volunteers who have already contacted me about this – I will be in touch soon! And please do spread the word about the play! WW1 Workshop
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