OPT Newsletter Autumn 2011 - Oxford Preservation Trust

o x f o r d p r e s e r vat i o n t r u s tOver the Summer OPT has workedwith local secondary schools, and Year11 History students who have attendeda walking workshop and learnt howto use the archives at the Oxfordshire HistoryCentre before chosing their own themes toresearch, including the history of the BlenheimHorse Trials, Boxing in Oxford and Sport atPort Meadow. Working in partnership with theMuseum of Oxford, this work will be on showat the Town Hall during Oxford Open Doorsand will be included in a larger exhibition onOxford’s Sporting Heritage to coincide with theOlympic torch coming to town.JASON HAWKESbritain from the airOxford Archaeology DayNow in its third year, this annual event,organised by OPT in partnership withOxford Castle Unlocked, has become theestablished showcase for archaeology in Oxford.Talks included recent finds in the High Street, byCity archaeologist David Radford and 10 years ofExcavation at Frilford by Dr Megan Price of OxfordUniversity. Oxford Archaeology, WallingfordKT BRUCEoxford archaeology dayMuseum and University members involved inArchaeology at East Oxford shared their work, andthere were hands-on activities from animal bones tomedieval toys. With free access to the Castle moundand Well Chamber the whole day was a great success.5 years at Oxford CastleThe anniversary of the redevelopment of OxfordCastle on May 5 saw many of the originaldevelopment team return to the Castle to celebrateits success. To mark the event OPT has createda Castle Trail around the site with 16 plaquesrevealing more of the stories and facts, includingwhere bodies were found, the location of anunderground tunnel, and the remains of the Saxontown wall.As part of the celebrations Britain from the Airbrings the Outdoor Street Gallery of 100 imagesto the Castle site. The exhibition includes TenOxford Images chosen by OPT in partnershipwith Helen de May, the County Council’sCastle Learning and Access Officer. Images andaccompanying information includes Port Meadow,Swinford Water Meadows, Folly Bridge, the Spires,the Views and the Geography of the City. The BftAEducation Programme running alongside hasseen over 700 students from 15 schools take part,with teachers and students seeing Oxford from adifferent angle and with follow up material and aSite Guide available online.We welcome Mike Speight, new Manager atOxford Castle Unlocked and congratulate Helende May and Colin Cook, OPT Trustee andOxford City Councillor, on their recent marriage.www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

ProjectsOPT Awards 2011Nearly 40 entries were received across the categoriesof new projects, conservation, community,landscape and environmental improvement. Theawards evening will take place on Thursday 3November at St. Catherine’s College when thewinners will be announced. We are grateful to oursponsors Kemp & Kemp Property Consultants andto Minns Associates who have made it possible forthe OPT Community Awards to include £500.00towards the winning project.RailingsThe ongoing success of the North OxfordRailings project has seen a number of projectscompleted, most notably at Park Town, withfurther restorations planned. We now have a new‘star’ pattern for use in Southmoor/Kingston Roadarea and will be contacting local residents overthe Winter. An interesting walk, led by SarahBillam, City Conservation Officer, looked at theresults of the work, and revealed more about theevolution of the designs. Contact n.monaghan@oxfordpreservation.org.uk if you are interested inrestoring your railings.RAILINGS, NORTH OXFORDG SMOLONSKI / PHOTOVIBEvolunteers at lms swingbridgeLMS SwingbridgeAs a result of OPT’s hard work fundsare now in place to allow us to progresswith a project to repair the LMS SwingBridge, alongside Chiltern Railways Mainlineimprovement plans. We are working with acollection of external agencies including theowner, Network Rail, English Heritage, theRailway Heritage Trust and the Rewley ParkManagement Association to deliver this projectand are grateful to all those who have giventheir time and funding. Particular thanks goto the Railway Heritage Trust for their offer ofpre-project funds.Geoff Wallis, a historic metalworkconservation expert, has been assisting withbudgets and project planning and we have setup a Volunteer Working Group, which met forthe first time in June to clear the undergrowthfrom around the structure. Work is on-goingto secure final funding and local businesssupport, with the aim of being on site in early2012. To learn more about the project andvolunteering opportunities please contact OPTProjects Officer:j.martinez@oxfordpreservation.org.uk.G W WALLISAUTUMN 2011www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

o x f o r d p r e s e r vat i o n t r u s tLand News - DiscoveringPlaces in its second yeark t bruceThe late May Bank Holiday weekend sawhundreds of local people seeing and learningmore about some of OPT’s 900 acres. It beganwith the official launch of Heyford Meadow NatureReserve where 250 tons of rubbish have been removed totransform these riverside meadows. Close by at SimonsLand there is a lovely river garden to enjoy, thanks to thegenerous gift of Mr & Mrs Simons and the support ofour volunteers at Four Pillars. Other highlights included awalk to OPT’s latest acquisition at Marston Hamm, withthe memorable sight of roe deer living within Oxford’sring road, visitors at Wolvercote Lakes, and meeting batsat Hinksey Meadow. This year’s event included CPREand Oxford Green Spaces Day involving theTrap Grounds and Warneford Meadows.DISCOVERING PLACESE HALLASR SANDERSONHEYFORD MEADOW BEFOREHEYFORD MEADOW AFTERThe Environment Agency’s Oxford Flood Relief Management Scheme hasseen activity at Hinksey Meadows where pipes and culverts now pass underWillow Walk, allowing floodwater to run away from the Botley Road. Thework is being closely monitored as Snakeshead Fritillaries grow here with150 flowers in 2011 the highest count yet.SNAKESHEAD FRITILLARIESON Hinksey MEADOWDEBBIE DANCEwww.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

Marston HammLand at Boars HillInitial surveys have revealed a wide variety ofsedges, including two uncommon in Oxfordshire, arange of willow species and some wonderful ancienttrees. Midland hawthorn found in the hedgerowssuggests that some of them may be up to 1,000years old. We are now actively raising funds toacquire further adjoining flood meadow alongthe Cherwell to improve the riverside setting andcomplete the walk from the Vicky Arms.Buying Land at Marston within the ring roadand on the banks of the Cherwell is a life timechance but with high land prices and costs offuture management, we will only be able todo this with your support - please considermaking a donation.You are now able to support us in a quickand easy way. Simply text OPTLO1£2/£5/£10 to 70070 from any mobilephone to donate now Eg. OPTLO1 £5G SMOLONSKI / PHOTOVIBEThe Acid Grassland Restoration Project on BoarsHill has been a great success. Working with EnglishNature, Louise Print-Lyons and local volunteershave been seeding marked areas with speciallyselected local wild flowers to increase biodiversity.The grazing is carefully monitored to keep downgrasses and allow the specialist species to set seedand thrive. This Spring saw key indicator speciesincluding Birds Foot Trefoil, Lady’s Bedstraw,Sheeps Sorrel, Mouse-Ear Hawkweed, and ParsleyPierts, with clumps of good Musk Thistles on theOld Berkeley Golf Course.26a East St Helen’s StreetOxfordshire was the proud host of this year’s VAGSpring Conference and OPT were all too pleasedto get involved by opening 26a East St Helen Streetfor conference attendees to examine as part of theirtour of Abingdon. Owned by OPT, having beenbequeathed to us by Miss Mary Baker in 1991,it represents an interesting example of a medievalhall house that has undergone various alterationsthroughout its history. The property houses abeautifully preserved example of a medieval wallpainting and its front elevation still includesmedieval tracery windows.LEWIS AT BOARS HILLOPT joins the film business!Look out for the 2012 series of Lewis. Thefirst episode has a story line based arounddevelopment and land, which was filmedusing the Old Golf Course. Our directorjoined the crew on site on Saturday 16thJuly, and you can see the pictures on ourFacebook page.OPT is looking for a new Custodian Tenant andvolunteers to help out at Abingdon Open Doorsfor our 3 bedroom Medieval Merchants House atEast St. Helen Street, Abingdon. Do you fit thebill or know anyone who might?AUTUMN 2011www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

o x f o r d p r e s e r vat i o n t r u s tDid you know that a rare medieval wallpainting is hidden away in the remains ofa sixteenth century house close to Carfax?OPT is assisting the City Council as they lookfor new tenants for the property which will allowpublic access. Join OPT and receive an invitation toa private tour in January.CHRIS ANDREWSPlanning NewsThe Oxford Heritage PlanThe Oxford Heritage Plan is now wellunderway and aims to encourage a betterunderstanding and use of the city’s heritageassets. What constitutes Oxford’s heritage was thesubject of a lively meeting at the Town Hall thissummer when people from the heritage sectorcame together to debate not just the buildingsand places, but how books, stories, people andevents play their part. This OPT, Oxford CityCouncil and English Heritage partnership projectis now looking to engage with wider stakeholderswho may not immediately recognise thecontribution that heritage has to offer. Interviewswith Oxford’s Strategic Partnership, across sectorssuch as climate change, economic development,health and well-being, safety and social cohesion,are on-going and wider public consultation isplanned for later this year.Oxford’s Core StrategyOxford’s Core Strategy was adopted in April,and consultation on plans for 1,000 houses atBarton is on-going. OPT is keen to see Bartondevelop as a community and to integrate betterwith the rest of Oxford, but is concerned byplans to include Ruskin College Fields, at OldHeadington, for development. These have causedmuch local concern and OPT shares the viewthat the land should not be developed. OPThas also commented on a number of potentialdevelopment opportunities raised in the Sitesand Housing Development Plan where we feelthey would harm the City and its setting. We nowawait the Public Inquiry that will follow. Otherongoing projects include the West End ContextTHE PAINTED ROOMStudy, Oxford View Cones Study and CharacterAssessment Toolkit.The height and bulk of various developments acrossthe city continues to be of concern, including anumber of buildings which have been approved.We hope that these buildings will not prove to betoo intrusive and have asked for some dialoguewith key stakeholders to try to address this. Weare pleased to be involved in early discussions overthe redevelopment of the Westgate and await theoutcome of an Appeal to increase the height of theVodafone mast at Walton Well Road which wouldimpact on views at Port Meadow.Appeals at Quarry High Street and at Bartlemashave been found in the Trust’s favour, and it isheartening to see plans come forward for the Coach& Horses, St. Clements and the buildings at thecorner of Lower Fisher Row, both saved fromdemolition.Nationally, consultation on the National PlanningPolicy Framework is underway and the LocalismBill continues to progress through Government. Awell-attended lecture for members and local groups,held in June, gave us a chance to debate this andshare information.www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

Trust and Membership NewsWelcome to our new trustees, Roger Trafford,former head of the Dragon School and SusanWilliamson, with her expertise in World HeritageSites. We also welcome our newest CorporateBusiness Members, Canby, who work in the JamFactory making carbon neutral jute bags.Supporting OPT is now easier than ever.Simply text OPTGO1 £2/£5/£10 to70070 from any mobile phone to donatenow - eg. OPTGO1 £5Membership RatesJoin inSeptember 2011and receive twoyears for the priceof one!Annual Student £15Annual Individual £25Annual Household £40Individual Life Membership £350Joint Life Membership £500Membership Benefits• Free access for named holder to the CastleMound when open to the public• 10% discount at Oxford Castle Unlocked,Castleyard Shop and Café 1071• 10% off all mains, specials and puddings atthe Victoria Arms, Old Marston (Availablefor whole party eating with cardholder)• Trips and events which happen throughoutthe year (Student members get free accessto our lecture programme)• Regular updates including newsletters• The Oxford Open Doors and the TrustAwards Brochure delivered straight toyour door.New staff at OPT and the Oxford Open Doors team.L-R: Jacquie Martinez, Hannah Danks , Hannah Belz,Felicity Crawford and Lauren Schofield.oxford preservation trustcalendar 2012CHRIS ANDREWSI have loved my first three months at OPT and amamazed how much we do. It is great to be a part ofsuch a forward thinking organisation. Keep up to datewith our work on Twitter and Facebook.Lauren Schofield, Membership, Marketing andEvents Assistant.OXFORD MAILI cannot describe the effect which thislandscape always has upon me, the hillsidewith its valley, and Oxford ... belowMatthew Arnold, 1885If you wouldlike one of our2012 calendars,please getin touch!OAKSTONE LILIESThanks to OPT member Sonja Drexler fordonating three lily sculptures by ChristopherTownsend, now on display at Oxford Castle foreveryone to enjoy.AUTUMN 2011www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk

o x f o r d p r e s e r vat i o n t r u s tOxford Preservation Trust EventsEach season we put together a varied membersprogramme of trips and talks, covering heritage,current issues, the unusual, places behindclosed doors. Spring/Summer highlights included talkson Leisure and Pleasure in Victorian England, Alicein Waterland, and the Royal Geographical SocietyDirector talking about her national project Britainfrom the Air, currently at the Castle.We have visited churches, walked the ancient CityWalls and the original ‘University Walk’, discoveredthe archaeology beneath East Oxford, and sharedthe passion for Victorian cast iron railings withSarah Billam, conservation officer. Abingdon hasfeatured with a hidden history walk and a specialvisit arranged by corporate members, Leadbitter, tosee the progress at the Abingdon Museum. Finally,we are grateful to the National Trust for allowingus a sneak preview of their latest project NuffieldPlace, home of William Morris, Lord Nuffield,before it opens to the public next year. See belowfor a further chance to visit.See images of trips at www.facebook.com/oxprestrust- you don’t need an account to take a look!Autumn Winter Events 2011To book events, please call 01865 242918 or gowww.oxfordpreservation.org.uk10 and 11 Septemberwww.oxfordopendoors.org.ukEnjoy your city free!Follow the story at the collaborative OpenDays blog on the English Heritage website.www.heritageopendays.org.uk/blogOPT HELPS KEEP OXFORD GREEN, FOR EVERYONE, FOREVER.Thursday 29th September 6:30pmAshmolean Private View - England GallerySee and hear about the restored Godstow NunneryPavement on view following a grant from OPT.£15 Non-members, £10 Members. Drinks included.Wednesday 12th October 6pm LectureThe Origin of Oxford Street NamesAnn Spoke Symonds, Author£6 Non members, £5 MembersFree for Student MembersTuesday 18th October 1pmNuffield Place see National Trust owned home ofWilliam Morris, Lord Nuffield, before it opens tothe public.£30 Non-members, £25 MembersTuesday 8th November 2011 6pm LectureThe history of Salter’s BoatyardSimon Wenham, Oxford University£6 Non members, £5 MembersFree for Student MembersThursday 1st December 5pm LectureA Year in Conservation - Debbie DanceHear about the work of Oxford Preservation Trustthroughout 2011 followed by complimentarymince pies and Christmas drinks.£10 Non members, £6 MembersFree for Student MembersTuesday 17th January 6pm LectureThe Re-development of the Bodleian ComplexGeoffrey Tyack, Architectural historian£6 Non members, £5 MembersFree for Student MembersSaturday 4th FebruaryOxford Preservation Trust Day School at OxfordUniversityRewley House, 1 Wellington Square,Oxford OX1 2JAOxford: ‘Palaces’ & Royal ConnectionsCourse Code O11P230HCJhttp://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/index.phpFrom £55.00All lectures take place at the Key LearningCentre at Oxford Castlewww.oxfordpreservation.org.uk