HEADINGTON OCCASIONAL ISSUE 3, SPRING 2020 NEWS • FEATURES • REVIEWS • COMMENT • EVENTS • EVERYTHING UNDER THE SHARK the OCCASIONAL comment Under the shark Spring is here, or at least just round the corner, and with a new season comes new growth, new hope and a new issue of the Headington Occasional. Given the state of the nation, tea versus coffee debate them by now, they still command at- the joys of the RSPB Otmoor the state of the planet and the moves down the hill tention. Who can resist a moment’s Reserve, “a haven for wildlife in the state of the imminent viral emer- No sooner had the Occasional pause to gaze at the flash of colour heart of Oxfordshire”, according to gency, the new hope part of this explored the myths and majesty and dramatic dive of a bird of prey their website. The marshland graz- particular formula can sometimes of tea and coffee [qv issue 2] than with a two-metre wingspan swoop- ing is the natural habitat of wading be a little difficult to hold on to. the Ashmolean swung into action ing into a neighbour’s garden? birds and wildfowl but songbirds However, we can take some to apply its academic prowess to First reintroduced to England in and warblers thrive in the hedge- comfort from the value of com- the debate. The result was a pair of the Chilterns in 1989 after an ab- rows and reedbeds. At the right time munity, which is often cited as an exhibitions looking at the history of sence of nearly a century, Oxford- of year, Otmoor is one of the prime important element of a positive hot drinks. shire’s red kites began to breed in sites to see starlings in full flight. outlook and a mainstay of per- Coffee, it seems, has been quite 1992 and have since become one However, if you don’t want to sonal wellbeing. popular for quite some time and, if of the great conservation success stray too far from the shark there is In Headington we are lucky to you like that sort of thing, it seems stories of recent times. More than still plenty to see closer to home. have plenty of community to go Oxford has been the place to be 1,000 breeding pairs are now Central Headington seems to be a around. The directory of local for centuries. According to the estimated to be resident around the haven for the delightful little wagtail groups and organisations that Ashmolean’s From Istanbul to Ox- Chilterns. and Quarry residents have been has a regular place in the pages ford: The origins of coffee drinking But if the red kite has become a enjoying the return of a heron which of the Occasional is testament to in England, the earliest record of little too common to excite Heading- has set about systematically empty- the breadth and depth of activity anyone drinking coffee in England ton’s part-time birders, news of the ing local ponds. and engagement that is available is dated 1637, and tells of Nath- Chilterns’ most recent avian visitor And who can forget the ornitho- under the shark. Our events list- aniel Conopius, a Greek priest at will have us all reaching for our logical excitement of last summer ing also shows how wide a varie- Christchurch and Balliol, engaging binoculars once again. when a large flight of brightly ty of interests are served in and in what was then regarded as a Last summer six coloured birds around Headington. If (perhaps wholly Turkish practice. white-tailed eagles, became a reg- we should say ‘when’) we have The first coffee house in England also known as sea If you see ular feature in more space we know that there opened in 1650 in rooms at the eagles, were released something that the skies about are plenty more dates and hap- Angel Inn on the High and four on the Isle of Wight as Bury Knowle penings that could be included. years later Cirques Jobson opened part of a reintroduction looks like a red park? The story of Shared Knitting the Queen’s Lane Coffee House, programme. One of The Occa- and Crochet (Headington) in this which is still there and still serving them, a young male kite’s beefed-up sional’s best issue is an excellent example of coffee. By 1675 there were 10 affectionately known bird experts how small groups of people with coffee houses in Oxford and the as G3-93, has found its big brother, you pored over their a shared interest or a good idea sign of the “Turke filling Coffee” was way to the Chiltern ridge may have found well-thumbed can come together and make a a commonly used indicator of where and settled in with local copies of I-Spy difference on a grand scale. Big coffee could be found, hence the red kites, following their G3-93. With a Birds and The things grow from small begin- prevalence of The Turk’s Head as lead in scavenging for Esso Guide to nings but it is the beginning that a name for coffee shops and pubs food. This wandering 2.5m wingspan, Fancy Feathers is the most important aspect of over the centuries. behaviour is common in to see from any project. This one started with Tea was also given its place young eagles and an- he shouldn't be which distant a small bag of yarn. in the scholastic sunlight with an other of the Isle of Wight habitats our One important item tucked exhibition drawing on the muse- Six has been tracked hard to spot. exotic visitors away in the events directory is um’s extensive European ceram- as far afield as Essex had travelled. the Connected Communities ics collection to chart the history before returning to the Solent. How well they hid their disap- Week, which will take place at of tea as a social lubricant and Any sea eagle making a sortie to pointment when they learned of the the start of June. Organised and economic catalyst. While the tea Headington should be easy to spot. practice of painting racing pigeons promoted by Headington Action, display offered much more to look Look for a outline and hooked beak pink to ward off the attentions of this programme of events, initia- at, the story was likely to have left similar to the kite with a white head birds of prey. tives and opportunities will help a rather unpleasant aftertaste for and – you’ve guessed it – a white people connect with neighbours many observers. As the Ashmolean tail. Most distinctive is its size. If otmoor or bust and local groups to make sure explained, “A cup of tea represents you see something that looks like Back to Otmoor it is then and here friendship and community gets to comfort for many of us, but every a red kite’s beefed-up big brother, is the essential travel information: where it might be needed most. sip connects us to the legacy of you may have found G3-93. With SP570126. After all, friendship and com- the British Empire, global trade and a 2.5m wingspan, he shouldn't be For the full enjoyment of the tra- munity is too important to be left transatlantic slavery.” hard to spot. ditional outdoor experience younger to chance. Biscuit anyone? readers may need to acquaint in pursuit of the prosaic we themselves with the concept of a kites, eagles and inspirational find the extraordinary printed map the size of a bedsheet twitching While we wait for a sea eagle to be and master the technique of trying Red kites wheeling and mewling added to the extensive list of Head- to fold it into a readable shape in overhead have become a feature ington’s cultural assets, where else high winds and light drizzle while of Headington life in recent years. might be train our field glasses? wearing gloves. Then you can use Barney Kemp and Jonny Ives Even though we are well used to A short ride out to Beckley offers this grid reference – SP570126 – to

2 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 find where your way to the exact Arms) is thriving as a community and hostelries that create some of her birthday seems to have slipped point you need to be. hub and on Cornmarket XT Brew- the best places to meet, talk and our interviewer’s mind. But you might need a compass. ing, based in Long Crendon, has dream. Suffice to say that the birthday in And, no, we don’t know how to use opened the Plough in a building Our pubs play a big part in mak- question had a zero at the end of it the foldy mirror either. more familiar to recent city visitors ing Headington what it is. Our motto and was worthy of a proper celebra- Give us two rings when you get as a gents outfitters. The site had for 2020 is to drink responsibly; and tion. We are able to report that after there. been an inn since the mid-17th by responsibly we mean in sufficient a party hosted by Windmill staff, century but had closed as a pub in quantities to keep our local pubs in Lynn and her family headed off to drinking responsibly in the 1924. Now beer is back once more. business. see her favourite performers at her name of community health Perhaps the biggest innovation favourite venue: the Libertines at The title of Oxford’s pub of the year in the city’s licensed offer has been from academia to the academy the Brixton Academy. has gone back down the hill after a the appearance of bars within the with the help of rock and roll couple of years under the shark. Covered Market. Currently housed The Occasional Conversation in this hear in headington: stories The Royal Blenheim was given under the ornate timber roof is issue features Windmill School’s ancient and modern the prize for 2020 by the Oxford city the Teardrop, self-identifying as Lynn Knapp but our interviewer, no Despite the historical heft and branch of CAMRA, the campaign “a nano-pub and doubt daunt- hinterland of the town down the for real ale, after the Masons Arms bottleshop”, and Tap In the midst of these ed by once hill, Headington has a rich and and the White Hart won the award Social Movement, the again being many-splendored history of its own. in 2019 and 2018 respectively. socially aware brew- troubled times our sat in a head As anyone who has delved into There is a good chance it will be ery based in Botley, is teacher’s the wonders of headington.org will back before long but meanwhile planning to open the motto for 2020 is to office (it know, there are plenty of stories to Headington can count itself lucky Market Tap soon. Tap drink responsibly; did not end tell and some of them are coming to to have been able to retain most of is hoping that space well on the a street near you. its pubs during a very dark times within the market will and by responsibly previous Hear in Headington is an initiative for the licensed trade. A few have be used for perfor- occasion), to bring eight electronic story closed – most recently the Quarry mances and events, we mean in seems to speakers to provide audio accounts Gate and the Crown and Thistle, bringing a new have missed of highlights of Headington’s past. with the Fox and the Shotover Arms vibrancy to one of the sufficient quantities much of the Situated in a variety of locations, a while before that – but others city's most distinctive to keep our local story. including benches, posts and, of have survived or been revived, venues.. While the course, a shark, the posts will be including the Ampleforth Arms In the midst of pubs in business career and powered by solar panels and a which has been able to keep the these troubled times pedagogical wind-up mechanism. Each post will developers at bay after its future and the dark days of philosophy offer a selection of six recordings, was threatened. winter anyone could be forgiven for of one of Oxford’s most prominent each of which will last for around 90 Down the hill there have been being driven to drink but with dry educationalists is all very interest- seconds. some notable reopenings and new January behind us and the summer ing (and it is: see elsewhere in this The scheme has been developed endeavours. The newly monickered soon to come we should take time issue), the key question of what Ms and funded by Oxford Brookes as Up in Arms (formerly the Somerset to appreciate the many pubs, bars Knapp did to mark the occasion of part of the planning process that ►

Gil by Norm

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4 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 ◄ permitted the construction of the rectified. There is much to connect the occasional questionnaire John Henry Brookes building on the us: both have more celebrated Gypsy Lane campus. neighbours; both have a multi- cultural, multi-lingual outlook; and Phil Bingham headington: you're gonna need both have a special place in their Co-founder and managing director of a bigger boat...­ hearts for the bicycle. VeloVixen, home of cycling kit for women If ever there was a work of theatre And the bicycle motif goes a little tailor-made for Headington deeper than that. In Belgium surely this is it: a play the second Sunday of Before you arrived in OX3, where Headington and most certainly run based on Jaws. April means only one on earth were you? the risk of coming across as quite Ear-marked for a thing, even if, as We came from London. South ear- smug about living here. West End run after this year, it also ly on, then Bayswater, then Notting a successful debut happens to be Hill, which we of course fled as it be- Describe a perfect day off. at the Edinburgh Easter Sunday: came trendy. I met my wife Liz in the I’d go for a bicycle ride through the Festival, The Paris-Roubaix. De- summer of 2009, on a monthly blind sun-lit early-summer lanes of Ox- Shark is Broken spite taking place date ‘offensive’ con- fordshire, then head tells the story of wholly in France, ceived by her friend to Lord’s to watch the making of the the Paris-Roubaix Sarah Perry. I was an afternoon of Test 1974 film Jaws and the one-day bike race is Mr July and unsur- cricket. I’d then mag- relationships between its a key part of the Belgian prisingly surpassed ically be back in time three stars, Robert Shaw, Majid and Katie sporting calendar. Also all her expectations. to read Harry Potter Roy Scheider and Richard known as the Hell of the We hung around to the kids before, Dreyfuss. Strong characters and big North, the race is one of the five together for a while babysitter allowing, egos cooped up on a boat in foul Monuments of European profes- and then decided to take a punt with my weather with a mechanical shark sional cycling and is also one of the celebrate my depar- wife to the Curzon that did not work made for dramatic hardest thanks to the ancient cob- ture from a 12-year to view a high-quali- tension even before the cameras bled mining roads the race follows. job in a deep-carpet- ty drama – probably started rolling. Playwrights Joseph In Headington the second Sun- ed financial office by a Bond film – and Nixon and Ian Shaw have sought day of April means the Quarry-Rou- going on a bicycle drink a martini that to capture this for the stage, with baix. With its origins in a tame pun ride. We took a year out and ped- matched those at the Dukes Hotel Shaw also playing his own father, (the French pronunciation of ‘Paris’ alled the length of South America in London. There would need to be Robert, who was undoubtedly one rhymes with ‘Quarry’; that’s it) this and the States. It was a pivotal year more than 24 hours available as of the biggest characters on Steven is a leisurely ride that leaves the and journey. On our return, we got time on the Oxford Tube wouldn’t Spielberg’s original set. Masons Arms at 9am and seeks out married and had a baby. necessarily be part of my ideal day. The play runs at the Ambassa- every bit of cobbled road surface dors in a city far, far away from May that can be found in and around the After such impressive office car- What would your 20-year plan to mid-July. Negotiations to bring it city. It provides an excuse to pedal peting, what’s your job all about look like if it existed? to the New Headington scout hall to some little-seen parts of Marston now? That’s a long time. Perhaps I can are currently ongoing. and Jericho, as well as the more With the 6,500 mile do a 20-minute celebrated sites of Merton Street trip still fresh in our I very much like plan instead? Well, the occasional subscription: a and Radcliffe Square. minds, we set up our the business will wise and tasty investment But this year Headington will be cycling company, the blend of expand and con- Katie McMillan (pictured above) home to both the Paris-Roubaix and VeloVixen, offering tinue to provide was the winner of the latest Occa- the Quarry-Roubaix (go on, make specialist cycling kit ‘village’ lifestyle what we believe is sional subscribers' prize draw. The them rhyme) as the Masons Arms for women. We’re a fantastic cycling prize, generously donated by Majid will be showing the afternoon’s now the leading re- and easy access offer and we’d love Yazdani at Coco Noir, was a selec- race. With interest in the one-day tailer of women’s to introduce our tion of the finest Belgian chocolates. Classics growing and the Masons cycle clothes and to culture and children to various Each issue of the Occasional that likely to be the only licensed venue accessories in the busyness in the two-wheeled ad- finds its way to the printer sees a in Oxford showing this most famous UK. We started in ventures around the subscriber drawn at random from of races, the audience could be London eight years shape of Oxford world. Perhaps New an actual hat to receive a prize. All sizeable. ago but identified Zealand first but you have to do to be in the draw is Get your seat at the bar early and Oxford as a possibil- and London maybe Argentina, make sure you have subscribed to make like a Trappist. ity for many reasons. India and of course the Occasional. We then stumbled upon Heading- Europe. But wherever it is, it will be The winner of next issue's draw raising the roof ton quite by accident after driving very much about family holidays on will receive a selection of coffee The Butchers Arms hosted a Raise to OX3 to collect an eBay purchase bikes. provided by New Ground. Sign up the Roof fund-raiser for Kamran's and made the move. now for a chance to win. Ward, and Danny's Diary and Child- Any skeletons in your closet? hood Cancer. There were great What’s great about Headington? More of an oddity than a skeleton but quarry-roubaix: a taste of performan=ces from the Weekend I very much like the blend of ‘village’ every year on 3 February Liz and I go things to come later in the day Retro Team and a great result in lifestyle and easy access to culture to Heathrow Terminal 5 to commem- Headington is not yet twinned with raising nearly £4,000 for these and busyness in the shape of Oxford orate our life-changing journey on any part of Belgium but it should not excellent causes. Many thanks to and London. We felt drawn to our lit- bicycles. We go to Carluccio’s, bore be too long before this situation is everyone involved. ● tle house, once the residence of Joy the waiters and irritate the check-in Davidman, and loved the communi- staff with tales of our adventure. The Headington Occasional is committed to the environment. ty, the market, the schools, the park. word ‘losers’ sometimes accompa- We took wise counsel from our two- nies all this but the trip was a con- year-old, who gave the pirate ship a siderable deal on many levels and definite thumbs-up. And of course, hopefully the first of many more to Waitrose. When we first arrived, a follow. For anything more historically neighbour popped over to welcome skeletal than that you only have to us and that’s when we knew we’d Google my surname. come to the right place. We love www.velovixen.com

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6 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 on the page business briefing headington’s authors making Imogen Matthews has also been Karen Westfield, owner ofICE grooming products and a range of the case for festival fringe busy, launching her novel Hidden in hairdressing, has passed the reins accessories under the 1932 brand With the Oxford Literary Festival the Shadows, a sequel to her previ- of the associated spa business to name. long established and preparations ous book, The Hidden Village. a new owner-operator. Explaining The Black Boy in Old Head- for this year’s event underway [see The novels are set in Nazi-oc- her decision to concentrate on the ington is under new management the Occasional Directory, p13], cupied Holland and are part of the salon, she told the Occasional that and has run a series of events Headington’s Untold WW2 hair is where her heart is. “After to welcome local residents back authors have Stories series. 10 years of running beauty through the doors to sample been quietly They were I’ve realised that really, the new menu and range getting on with inspired by my heart is firmly in of beers. the business her mother’s hair,” she said. “I’ve Another beer-relat- of getting stories of her been hairdressing ed offering comes published. life as a young for many years. I from the Butchers Diego Dutch woman love it and know Arms, which has Zancani will living under the it like the back of started offering be venturing occupation and my hand. It’s been CAMRA members down the hill to their desperate lovely and I’ve a 5% discount on all take part in the literary festival and efforts to survive the treacherous worked hard with real ale. Pippa and talk about his book, How We Fell Hunger Winter of 1944-45. the spa but I just don’t Paul Hitchcock, who in Love with Italian Food. Zancani “It has especially important for know beauty so well. The look after the Butchers, is emeritus professor of medieval me to bring these stories to light this spa is very well suit- Monaco: full colour are hoping that CAM- and modern languages at Oxford year, which marks the 75th anniver- ed to being run as RA members will also University, teaching at Harvard and sary since the end of hostilities and a small, independent business with use the CAMRA app to rate and universities across Italy and the UK liberation of Holland by the Allies,” an owner-manager concentrating support Headington’s real ale pubs. over the course of a 25-year career, Matthews told the Occasional. on the day-to-day running, making Paul told the Occasional: “A quick but his book is a paean to his love The Hidden Village and Hidden it their own. With that input, it will be click can make a real difference to of Italian food. in the Shadows both featured in the brilliant.” our ratings when it comes to the How We Fell in Love… charts Amazon UK and US best sellers New Ground Coffee have just Good Beer Guide and local branch the remarkable progress of the list. A third novel in the series is, launched their latest seasonal awards.” The Butchers is also host- produce, techniques and people according to the author, officially “in coffee, Karambi, which is a washed ing a new season of the Sharktown that brought Italian food to the UK, the pipeline”. red bourbon from Rwanda. Head Jazz residency on the first Monday exploring the legacy of the Roman ● How We Fell in Love with Italian to the roastery to pick up a bag of the month. invasion and the 13th century reci- Food is published by the Bodleian and watch out for further seasonal VeloVixen, the award-winning pes found in medieval manuscripts. Library. It is available to purchase coffees launching soon. “home of women's cycling kit”, Part history, part cook book, this at the Bodleian and Blackwell’s, as Elaine Bellenger of Monaco, unveiled its beautiful new website beautiful book celebrates the en- well as online. The Hidden Village Headington’s leading independent in February. Founders Liz and Phil during international appeal of Italian and Hidden in the Shadows are women’s wear retailer, is Bingham, who live in Head- cooking, Italian restaurants and the available via Amazon as e-books celebrating the 25th ington, have exclusively Mediterranean diet. and in hard copy. anniversary of the revealed to the Occa- business’s opening. sional that they will “I can’t believe the also be launching the headington occasional at large time has gone so their first full range quickly,” she said. of VeloVixen-brand-

contact us A small celebra- ed cycling gear this Email us via [email protected], post envelopes through the tion is planned for spring. door of either 1 New Cross Road or 45 Stephen Road. Barney and 25 March, the date Sandfield Guest Jonny are also happy to be accosted at any point on any journey, par- that Monaco opened House on the London ticularly if they are pretending to be in a hurry. and welcomed its first Road, which opened in subscribe to the occasional customer. 2009, believes it may Invest £10 to join our list of subscribers and receive every issue we Headington’s Real ale, real discount be the first business can produce in a year hand-delivered by bike to your door. Be first with growing reputation as of its kind in the every issue and show advertisers that we have readers they can reach. the hair-cutting capital of Europe Oxford area to go carbon neutral. Fill in the form in this issue or go to www.theoccasional.co.uk where has been bolstered by the opening Sandfield owner Paul Anderson ex- you can susbcribe online with a couple of clicks. of two new hair-dressing emporia. plained: “As a family we decided to advertise in the occasional Women’s stylist Greek Style Cut enhance our efforts towards a more Put your name under the noses of a highly discerning readership with has opened on New High Street ecologically sound and environmen- one of our very affordable ad packages. Ads available from £15. The while Youngman’s, whose original tally friendly life by offsetting our

full rate card and media pack is available on the Occasional website. shop opened on the High in 1932, CO2 emissions through funding a has travelled up the hill to open variety of verified projects. We now let us know on Windmill Road. In addition to Please let us have details of all your events, groups and initiatives for offset 1.5 tonnes every month in booked appointments and an array our directory pages. Your suggestions for any news items, articles or an attempt to over-compensate for of high-quality hair services for gen- interviews that you would like to see in future issues are most welcome, the family’s and the guest house's tlemen, they offer their own-label as are any thoughts on how the Occasional might be able to serve the impact.” ● greater good of the community and add to the general jollity of local life. find out more WITH GRATEFUL THANKS Sponsored by PenwardenHale The Occasional is a print magazine but we do have a website. We’re Many thanks to all our subscribers, supporters and advertisers without online at www.theoccasional.co.uk where you can find out more about whom we could not have got the Headington Occasional started, never us and what we’re up to. mind reach issue three, with issue four well on the way. Thanks also to all those who have offered encouragement and a special mention to PenwardenHale, architects extraordinaire, who continue to provide www.theoccasional.co.uk their support but only on the grounds of anonymity.

The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 7 interview the occasional conversation Lynn Knapp Community, creativity and challenge The head teacher of Windmill School explains how creating positive cultures is central to educational achievement and why emptying a classroom of all its contents is all part of a day’s work.

Lynn Knapp admits that although she thrives on a challenge, the most recent Windmill School cross-country run was something of a test. It was not so much the distance – leading the whole school on laps of the school site is something she regularly takes in her stride – but rather the burden of having just been told that one of Wind- mill’s buildings had been deemed unsafe and that half a dozen classrooms would have to be emptied of children, desks and equipment before the end of the day. “We had two hours notice,” she laughs. “At quarter to nine, just before we started the cross-country run, the county surveyor said, ‘You’ve got to empty six classrooms because we can’t have the children in there beyond today.’ It was you get that right I don’t think the rest of ▲ Lynn Knapp morale was low, behaviour and attain- that quick.” it follows. I had been working with others Oxford Poly alumnus ment among the children was poor. Oxfordshire County Council had been on values-led learning from around the and head teacher at “It was a great challenge and a great looking at the plans and it seems that the year 2000 so it was something I was Windmill primary since opportunity that came my way,” she says. school had a second storey on a building already very familiar with when I came January 2007 “I believe that the warmth and family feel that had been designed to have only one. to Windmill but it wasn’t as strong as it of a school is really important and I was The supporting structures put in place needed to be.” really worried that I wouldn’t know all the when it was extended were suffering Knapp took up the post at Windmill in children and how to create that culture in from water damage and some rusting January 2007, having spent her whole a much bigger setting.” metalwork within supporting pillars was, teaching career in Oxfordshire. She start- Her approach was to focus on a the county surveyor had decided, putting ed as a newly qualified teacher in 1982 at values-led culture and a broad curric- the building at risk. Ambroseden, near Bicester, then moved ulum, challenging the children to think “I did the cross-country with a smile to Warborough village primary school. for themselves. The aim was to make les- on my face, thinking, ‘Oh my god, what Her next post was deputy head at Wood- sons more exciting and innovative so that are we going to do?’ and not being to cote primary, where she became head children would become more engaged. tell anyone until lunchtime, by which teacher after three years and stayed for a “The staff were up for it so I started time we had a plan in place. The local total of 13 years. working alongside them, trying to build a authority were fantastic in helping us “At Woodcote I real- culture where they felt they could talk to work out what we were going to do with ised how the position of “I feel really me and didn’t have to ask permission to all the children but then the staff had 40 head teacher gives you do everything, where they could take a minutes’ notice to move their classrooms the opportunity to create privileged to be in risk and make a mistake knowing where to different parts of the school and empty the culture and the ethos the position I’m we were heading as a school. I was also the building. By 3pm that afternoon we of the school. Although I fortunate to appoint Andy Spooner not got all six classrooms out and empty, always loved the people in. We’ve created a long after I started. Having a really good which was an amazing act of teamwork.” I worked under, as head teacher in the classroom who set an One stroke of luck was that Cheney there is that feeling of school that I’d like example of how you could do things a bit School had an inset day. knowing what you think is differently was a real bonus. “We were very lucky because we had the right way for children to think demon- “Then we looked at how we could reor- around 25 former Windmill year-sixes to learn and actually strates what I see ganise the curriculum. Lessons had been coming back to volunteer,” Knapp says. having that opportunity very subject-based and really dull – I was “They made a human chain up the stairs to put it into practice with education being all bored teaching them – so we put in place and were a huge help.” your team, and bringing what we felt to be the priorities. One For all the excellent teamwork and that team with you.” about.” was getting children to be able to ask a positive responses to challenging circum- Knapp admits that question and also giving them a little bit stances, it is a testament to the culture taking on Windmill at that time was a of independence in their learning, which of the school that so many ex-Windmill daunting prospect. Woodcote school had can be quite a challenge for teachers.” students were on hand to help out. How- 150 children, while Windmill at the time By the time Ofsted revisited six months ever, changing cultures has been central had 400. In addition to the scale of the later, it was evident that Windmill was to the story of Windmill School since school was the scale of the task. Ofsted making progress. Lynn Knapp arrived as head teacher. had recently categorised the school as “It took a while,” Knapp says. “I used to “I genuinely believe that a school ‘requiring improvement’, which was rec- have a constant stream of children work- culture is fundamental to creating happy ognised as something of an indictment. ing with me in my office but slowly the children who learn,” she says. “Unless The head and deputy head had left, staff focus on positive behaviour began to pay

8 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 perspectives cats and dogs

off. Then the day came when I thought, Being obliged to get out of the house is the spring with the bluebells out, it makes ‘That’s strange: I haven’t had any chil- Living a the big positive of having a dog. However your heart sing with the beauty of it all. dren working in my office all week.’” dog’s life reluctant you are before you start, no Alfie was laid back to the point of being Despite heading the biggest primary matter how cold and wet it is outside, you aloof as a puppy but he offers better school in Oxfordshire, Knapp seems David always feel better when you get back company as a teenager and he’s certain- to have recreated the feel of a village from a dog walk. ly more snuggly than he used to be. This school. Windmill now has more than 600 Wellington In Headington we’ve got lots of green is a good source of stress relief for us children and Ms Knapp knows them all space and we’re very lucky to have Sho- all as is the laughter he evokes, mostly by name. tover on our doorstep. Alfie and I tend to owing to him being particularly dim. “I was a student at Oxford polytechnic, fall into familiar Shotover routes, trying to The most obvious drawback is that as it was then, so I’d lived in Headington minimise contact with any deer, because having a dog is quite a tie. Things like and I knew the strong culture that Head- his urge to chase things holidays and festivals ington had,” she says. “Having been part is always stronger than Most of the time are more of a problem of that, I knew there was lots to tap into. the pull of my pleas for and since we’ve had “The first term I was here we did our vi- his return. he just lies there. him we haven’t been sioning and we started with the question: We spent a long away as much as we what does the community want? I was time with recall training I work, he waits used to. fortunate in many ways. On one level all using a whistle and he’s He’s a dog, so of I had to do was stand out here and say, pretty good at responding to the call until course he’s always eating things he ‘Hello, I’m Lynn, I’m the new head.’ That his urge to chase kicks in. While he clear- shouldn’t and there are far too many was a really quick fix and there was loads ly loves this, it’s quite stressful for us. He trips to the vet, which can begin to get of stuff that had been started that I got to can’t catch the deer but did once actually quite expensive. I work from home so he finish off. But by doing that visioning I got catch a pigeon, which surprised him al- doesn’t really like being on his own for to understand what people wanted. most as much as it surprised the pigeon. long and one of us has to get up every “That’s how we came up with our strap Fortunately, Alfie didn’t quite know what morning, even at the weekend whether line: ‘Achievement through community, to do with it next and the pigeon made its we want to or not. creativity and challenge’. There is so escape. But most of the time he just lies there. I much in our local area that is so impor- For all the shouting and cajoling work and he waits patiently until it is time tant to making this school successful and prompted by a dog disappearing into the to be fed or walked. The kids have kept there is so much to draw on. I don’t think distance at high speed, watching him their promises about walking him every a school should ever be isolated. We are bounce gleefully around the woods is day and he is generally very loveable. a community school – that is what we’re always a pleasure. Being on Shotover I have to say that though; he’s looking at any time of year is uplifting but in the at me now and he’s bound to see this There is so much in our autumn with the leaves changing or in edition of the Occasional one day. ● local area that is so The kids wanted a pet. We stalled for living with a cat became slightly harder important to making this It was quite a while but eventually gave in and work than we thought it would be. cat by a the question became what sort of pet to However, we got into the swing of school successful have. things, got a feeding station that looks whisker We really didn’t want the responsibility like a cat food version of Kerplunk, which called – and therefore we have to live of a dog. I thought it would be too much means she has to make a bit of an effort that out but it brings so many opportuni- Vanessa like having another toddler in the house to reach her food, and she began to lose ties for the children that we can’t provide and the kids were small enough to be a weight. It wasn’t long before she began without that engagement.” Clipstone bit wary of dogs at the time. There were to look quite sleek. In addition to becoming the county’s some votes for gold fish Tilly has reminded biggest primary, Windmill has recently but they’re not really There was some me that a cat is fun to become the city’s only school accredited active enough. There have around. She is an by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’. However, was some serious lob- serious lobbying for entertaining compan- changes to the Ofsted framework mean bying for a chicken but ion, particularly now that the bar has been raised. Knapp this was deemed to be a chicken she’s inclined to run knows of only one school that has insufficiently ‘pet’. about a bit more. retained its outstanding ranking following I’d had cats at home when I was a kid However, she doesn’t really like going reinspection but her team are working but never had a pet since. I mentioned in outside so we’ve still got litter trays, towards being the second. It is another passing that I’d be happy with a cat and which I hadn’t reckoned with. I had challenge to be added to the list for the so it became cat by elimination. I sup- thought my days of dealing with poo were head teacher of a large school in the pose we did a sort of pet SWOT analysis behind me but it seems I spoke too soon. modern education environment. With and it came up ‘cat’. Cats can be quite self-contained, such an agenda, does she still feel like a A rescue cat seemed the sensible which means that they generally don’t teacher, or more like a chief executive? approach and I returned from a weekend feel like much of a burden; you might get “Oh, I still feel like a teacher,” she says. away to tales of a visit to a rescue centre a bit more interaction with a dog but a “I feel really privileged to be in the posi- and a cat that was apparently very good cat is less of an obligation. A cat seems tion I’m in. We’ve created a school that with kids. The only slight problem was quite happy with an automatic feeder I’d like to think demonstrates what I see that she needed to lose a bit of weight. if you have to leave them for a bit and education being all about but I also have So we all went to see her and Tilly Fat it’s not too much of an imposition to ask the choice to teach. I’m in the classroom Cat joined the family. someone to drop in to feed them when and I do the clubs with the children but I We brought her home with a diet you go away. also have that role to lead and to manage sheet, measured her intake and – ta dah! From our perspective a cat has been the school, and to support other people – she put on weight. The vet suggested a good pet option but perhaps we just outside the school. What a fantastic job. that she would need a special diet and struck lucky. It really is a privilege.” ● would need to move about a bit more, so Let’s hear it for Tilly Not-so-Fat Cat. ●

The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 9 directory local groups and organisations the archway foundation quarry rovers fc Offering friendship and support to Young people’s football club at the heart anyone affected by loneliness. Social of Headington since 1952. FA Charter gatherings, young adult groups and Standard club with teams at all ages. individual support. www.quarryrovers.org.uk Contact: 01865 790552 or office@arch- wayfoundation.org.uk quarry women’s institute www.archwayfoundation.org.uk Large and active WI with members across and around Headington. A warm barton community association welcome to new members. Door-to-door Improving the quality of life for all Barton local bus service for anyone who might residents. Events, activities and educa- struggle to get to meetings. tion in and around the Barton Neighbour- www.quarrywi.org.uk hood Centre. www.bartoncommunityassociation.com rising voices Community choir performing modern and barton sings traditional songs. Originally based in Ris- Community choir welcoming anyone of headington action inghurst but now rehearsing in Cowley. any age wherever they happen to live. Headington Action is a voluntary organisation with charitable status whose sole No auditions or music-reading required. http://soundresource.org.uk/gallery aim is to benefit the community of Headington. Its members are representatives http://folk-arts-oxford.co.uk/rising-voices.html -barton-sings/ of Headington voluntary groups, businesses, educational and health organisa- tions, faith groups and local authorities. Headington Action works with a wide shared knitting (and crochet) group churches together in headington range of groups, organisations, agencies and local authorities to promote and Making woolly goods for two charities Ecumenical grouping of 14 churches in improve Headington, making it a better place for everyone who lives, works and using donated needles and yarn. We Headington promoting and encouraging studies here. Headington Action runs the Headington Market (above), organises welcome people who would like to knit co-operation between the churches of the Headington Festival (30/31 May) and provides grants under the Small Sparks and crochet in company, including those the area. and Community Grants schemes. www.headingtonaction.org who would like to contribute from afar or www.headingtonchurches.org.uk occasionally. Donations of needles and yarn (any colours except white or pale cyclox headington community association great choral classics (and more) for the pastels) also welcome. The voice of cycling in Oxford. Cam- Running the Headington Community sheer love of it. No auditions. Rehearsals Contact: [email protected] or paigning for better infrastructure and Centre on Gladstone Road, home to on Tuesday in term-time at Headington phone 01865 738942. more investment in cycling. Local Cyclox wide range of groups, clubs and activi- School. New singers welcome. champions network in Headington and ties every day of the week. www.headingtonsingers.org.uk shotover preservation society across the city. www.headingtoncommunitycentre.org 07766 862 286. Founded in 1974 with the remit to “con- www.cyclox.org sider all matters which are likely to affect headington garden group highfield residents’ association Shotover and make recommendations extinction rebellion An informal group of gardening enthusi- Getting together to shape and engage to the appropriate bodies on this, and A movement carrying out peaceful, joyful, asts organised by the highly knowledge- the neighbourhood in the Highfield Road on any ways of enhancing the public’s direct action against government inaction able Kathleen Ramsey. It meets about area. continued enjoyment of Shotover.” on climate and ecological catastrophe. once a month to look round each others’ www.highfieldresidents.weebly.com www.shotover.clara.net/pressoc Headington Fringe meet fortnightly. gardens, all of which are fascinatingly [email protected] different. The group offers a great way to low-carbon headington silver joggers www.xroxford.org meet your neighbours and increase your Group of Headington residents com- Join the Silver Joggers for a fun start knowledge and enjoyment of gardening. mitted to raising awareness of climate to your jogging career. Three trained friends of bury knowle park Contact: [email protected] change locally, reducing Headington’s instructors are on hand to help and en- Helping to improve and care for Head- carbon emissions, and promoting a more courage you to start running and get the ington’s biggest park, a focal point for headington quarry folk dance sustainable lifestyle. amazing health benefits of regular gentle the community that has been open to the Continuing the tradition of country danc- www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/ exercise. Regular Couch to 5k sessions. public since 1930 and central to Head- ing dating back beyond the 17th century. oxfordshire-groups/low-carbon-headington www.silverjoggers.club ington life ever since. Meets at Gladstone Road Community www.facebook.com/silverjoggers/ https://buryknowlepark.wordpress.com/ Centre on Thursdays (except during Au- oxford arts society gust) from 8-10pm. Beginners welcome. Society of artists residing within 30 miles woodcraft folk friends of old headington www.oxonfolk.co.uk of Oxford. Founded in 1891 with annual “A place where children will grow in con- Caring for the Old Headington conserva- exhibition of members’ work. Member- fidence, learn about the world and start tion area. headington road runners ship by invitation only but non-members to understand how to value our planet www.foh.org.uk and @Old_Headington Club built around its members with aim encouraged to submit work to the annual and each other.” Headington Elfins group of encouraging and supporting its mem- open exhibition, from which new mem- (ages 6-9) meets weekly on Thursday in friends of quarry bers with all their running aims. Motto bers are invited to join. Quarry Village Hall. Residents’ association for people living ‘Running Together’ reflects both style of https://oxfordartsociety.co.uk/ Contact: [email protected] in the Headington Quarry area. Set up runs and club's friendly, social nature. to preserve the distinctive character of www.hrr.org.uk oxford civic society For further local information see also: Headington Quarry conservation area. “Appreciating our past, enjoying the pres- www.friendsofquarry.org headington schools partnership ent and pursuing a vision for the future.” headington news Partnership of Headington’s eight www.oxcivicsoc.org.uk Definitive and invaluable online source friends of warneford meadow schools, collaborating in the interests of of information regarding of all aspects of Action group campaigning to preserve the children, young people and families. oxtalk Headington life. Indispensible first port of Warneford Meadow, a tranquil area www.headingtonpartnership.org.uk Oxford’s talking newspaper for the blind. call for both current events and historical of grassland on the boundary of East Local digest on memory stick or online. background. Oxford and Headington. headington singers [email protected] or 01865 767618. www.headington.org.uk www.friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk Your local community choir singing the www.oxtalk.org.uk @headingtonnews

10 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 made in headington shared knitting and crochet Needles, hooks and woolly expertise From its beginnings in a small tangle of yarn to its role in international aid projects, Sally Despenser explains how Shared Knitting and Crochet (Headington) is connecting people in the city, across the country and around the world.

After my sister Janet died in August the same dimensions. In order to 2018 her family sent me a small share the wool out, we have to wind parcel. Inside were her peg bag and it into balls, which was quite a per- needle case. They also sent a car- formance. However, Stuart made rier bag of wool, a tangle of yarns us two wooden cone stands, which and colours, in size between a golf transformed the task. ball and a tennis ball. Knitters like Another gift came from a lady of to sort their wool by thickness and 94 who gave a sack of multi-coloured composition (wool or man-made squares and other shapes. Mavis yarn) so that was the first task. has made these into a stunning Although there was not an large blanket and two cot blankets. enormous quantity, I wanted to Help has arrived in various forms. do something useful with it. Janet Headington Action gave us a Small would be glad to know it would not Sparks grant which will keep us be added to the rubbish mountain, afloat for the first year, helping that it could be repurposed and with room hire and postage; they turned into something warm and also circulated our first publicity. woolly for a good cause. After a few We have been made welcome by visits to a knitting group, the idea our current meeting place (Church of setting up Shared Knitting and House, All Saints), as we were by Crochet (Headington) was born. Af- Headington Baptist Church, where ter a bit of advertising and running we met when we first started. Our around, we met for the first time posters were designed gratis by the in August 2019, when 13 people ▲ Mavis's magnificent blanket, made up of many, multi-coloured squares Webmaster of Churches Together turned up. ▼ Stuart's stands, which solved the problem of handling 10kg cones of yarn in Headington, Christine Tucker, Since then two ‘satellite’ groups and the carton for our first dispatch have formed, one at a retirement to Syria was donated by Jacobs complex, the other the Thrupp Boat- Removals on Windmill Road. ies. In addition there are several In October 2019, after three ‘detached’ members, individuals meetings, we sent five blankets, (currently in Elsfield, Worcester, 29 scarves, 8 pairs of gloves, 14 Edinburgh) who cannot attend but hats and 10 jerseys to Syria. We who wish to be connected, to feel feel connected to the people who part of something bigger, and to feel receive the woolly goods we have useful. made and we feel useful. As one of Having started knitting, the ques- our members said, “I didn’t have an- tion quickly arose of who do we knit yone to knit for but now I have.” We for? We started by vetting a number hope to contribute to Headington’s of possible charities and chose two. Connected Communities Project At present we are making (knit, later this year. crochet) hats, gloves, jumpers, We also feel connected to each blankets, scarves for refugees in In order to keep crafting we the colour palette at our disposal. other when we share our own Syria, via Helping Hand for Aid and need donations of yarn. People We also welcome smaller offerings crafting histories. For some of us, Development (hihfad.org) and baby have been very generous. A lady and we couldn’t keep going without winding the Scottish yarn took us blankets for the most disadvan- in Botley these gifts. back into our pasts, connecting taged ethnic groups in Kosovo (The offered us four A big donation us to grandmothers, fathers and Ideas Partnership). We also have sacks of yarn We feel connected came from a knit- mothers, to stories of knitting in a connection with Knit for Peace, left over from to the people who wear designer in WW2, and how we learned to knit which supports people in need in a lifetime of Cumbria, who sent and crochet. the UK and sets up community knitting, some receive the woolly us surplus one-ply We meet on the fourth Wednes- groups teaching people to knit. of it priced in (ie very fine) Scot- day of the month (not December) Some of us also knit twiddlemuffs shillings and goods we have made tish wool on cones at Church House (All Saints), New for people with dementia who are pence and still weighing 10kg, High Street, OX3 7AL from 1.15pm agitated; these go to patients being in its original and we feel useful. which were deliv- to 3.15pm. We ask for a donation treated on Level 7 at the JR. ball bands. ered to Oxford by of £2 to cover our costs, which We are happy for people to join Fortunately there was no moth. A another kind supporter. So far we comprise the hire of the committee us, even if they want to support oth- lady in Old Marston filled a car boot have received eight cones. We use room and postage when a carton is er charities, and even if they don’t with thick acrylic yarn, excellent for this wool (three strands at a time) ready to dispatch. knit or crochet but would be happy fast knitting and crocheted blankets. to make toasty blanket squares, all And we always welcome gifts of to help with sewing up. We have become quite creative with to the same pattern and aiming for yarn. ●

The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 11 Property Refurbishments

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www.solidrockoxford.co.uk directory occasional events

under the shark: regulars graeme taylor Monday 4 May, 8.45pm headington creative network Butchers Arms First Friday of the month 12.30-2.30pm Sharktown Jazz night with versatile and Butchers Arms, New Headington in-demand keyboard player offering Regular meeting for all of Heading- high-energy jazz and latin fusion. ton's many freelancers, creatives and £ free. Table bookings available. home-workers. Conversation, lunch and just enough exchange of ideas to call it headington festival working. Sat 30 May and Sun 31 May All welcome. £ Free Central Headington and Bury Knowle Park masons arms quiz night Focal point of the Headington commu- Saturday (weekly). 9pm nity calendar with a theme this year of Masons Arms, Quarry the Connected Community. Numerous Ever-popular regular Saturday night pub and varied events across the weekend. quiz. Saturday’s events in and around central Headington start at 10am until late. Sun- butchers arms quiz night oxford art week Various venues, Monday 16 - Wednesday 25 May day’s festival fair in Bury Knowle Park Sunday (weekly). 8.45pm Focus on Oxford’s artists as part of the Oxfordshire Artweeks Festival, the UK’s from 1pm. Organised by Headington Butchers Arms, New Headington biggest free open-studio and pop-up exhibition event (which runs from 2-25 May Action and local partners. £ free. Regular Sunday night pub quiz. Up to six across Oxfordshire). Be inspired, entertained and delighted – and choose a in a team and £1 per head for the prize treasure to take home with you. 158 artists signed up in the city with a dozen-plus connected communities week fund. artists and venues in Headington. Find all artists and venues at www.artweeks.org Sun 31 May - Sun 7 June Week of events, initiatives and opportu- white hart quiz night Exploring our approach to conflict Headington Singers and Orchestra nities organised and promoted by Head- Tuesday (weekly). 9pm through discussion and debate, re- perform with conductor Sally Mears, so- ington Action, in conjunction with the two White Hart, Old Headington considering the attitudes we take into prano Sara Stowe, alto Serenna Wagner, local surgeries. Working to emphasise Regular Tuesday night pub quiz with the disagreements. tenor Peter Willis and bass Will Orr. the importance of social connections and big cards for the big jackpot. £ free with registration. £12/£10 on the door. Children free. to raise awareness of organisations that are available to help people to connect. tea and tango dance afternoon oxford human rights festival refugee resource women’s www.headingtonaction.org/connected Tuesday (weekly). Friday 13 March, 5pm project dinner Corpus Christi Church Hall, Margaret Rd Oxford Brookes, the Glass Tank Friday 20 March, 6pm down the hill Tuesday afternoon social tea dance. All An exhibition showcasing work from a Oxford Brookes, Glass Tank welcome. £4, including refreshments broad range of artists, as well as short Refugee Resource works to improve 100 women of oxford talks and live music. and support the community integration Sunday 8 March and continuing go-active health walk £ free with registration. of refugees and vulnerable migrants by Tap Social Movement, Botley Friday (weekly) 10am providing a wide-ranging support. Tick- Exhibition by Headington photographer Bury Knowle Park for sama et-only event is limited to just 50 spaces and Occasional contributor Philippa GO-ACTIVE health walk that starts Monday 16 March, 6.30pm to enjoy a vegetarian menu. James illustrating and celebrating the outside the library. Choose from a short, Oxford Brookes, JHB lecture theatre £8.68. Booking required. lives of 100 women. £ free slow sociable walk, or a further, faster, Screening of Cannes-winning documen- friendly walk. Both walks include a range tary presents the life of Waad al-Kateab iris festival of the future oxford literary festival of routes within Headington and end up during the Aleppo uprising in Syria. A Wednesday 25 March, 3.30pm Fri 27 March – Sun 5 April in the Queen’s Bakery in Windmill Road. story of love, marriage and motherhood Rumble Museum, Cheney School Various venues Come when you can. All welcome. £ free set amongst unfathomable conflict. There An exciting community event celebrating Centred at Worcester College, this week- will be a Persian music performance the Rumble Museum’s “Future Season’. long festival offers over 240 bookable wheels for all by Delaram Izadi and Chris Hills before A range of Discovery Zones offering events featuring a broad range of literary Every Friday. 9.30am-midday the film and then a Q&A afterwards with activities, exhibitions and workshops will middle- and heavy- weights. Horspath athletics track, OX4 2RR co-director Edwards Watts (18-plus, doc- explore how Oxford might look in the £ various. Booking required. Inclusive cycling facilities for all in a safe, uments scenes of upsetting violence). future. Over the course of the afternoon supportive environment. Wide range £ free with registration. various speakers, starting with Robert active travel to school of cycles available for all abilities. No Winston at 3.30pm, will present expert Tuesday 21 April, 7.30pm booking required. fact or fake? looking for and informative talks on their specialist St Mike's North Gate, Cornmarket £3 per session. Free for carers. evidence behind everyday subjects. £ Free Cyclox host discussion of how local health claims activists are campaigning and delivering 13th theatre group Thursday 19 March, 6pm comedy in the quarry active travel for schools, including the Saturday (weekly) Oxford Brookes, Kennedy Room Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March story of Headington's bike buses. Corpus Christi Church Hall, Margaret Rd Learn how to separate the truth from Masons Arms £ free. Drama club for kids with the emphasis on the untruths of medical headlines. Ever-popular comedy nights at the fun with experienced, professional tutors. Professor of Evidence-based Medicine Masons with MC Chris Meeson. far, far away £6. Family discount available. Carl Heneghan will offer guidance on £12. SOLD OUT (returns only) [email protected] the research evidence that makes the the shark is broken news, offering advice as to identifying the time is of the essence May 11 to July 18 under the shark: events details to act on and those to ignore. Monday 6 April, 8.45pm Ambassadors Theatre, London £ free with registration. Butchers Arms Play based on the making of Spielberg’s let’s argue! transforming Sharktown Jazz night with groove-led classic film, Jaws. Strong characters conflict into reconciliation mozart requiem: solemn vespers classic jazz from the band that started it and big egos cooped up on a boat in Thursday 12 March, 5.30pm Friday 20 March, 7.30pm all at the Butchers. foul weather. And a big fish. Strong Oxford Brookes, Garden Room All Saints’ Church, Lime Walk £ free. Table bookings available. resonance for Headingtonians.

The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 13 the occasional classifieds how to...

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Find out more at www.kissthemoon.com 100% natural aromatherapy products email www.theoccasional.co.uk that help you to sleep and wake up  feeling gorgeous. 14 The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 the last word paean to the pencil letters Dear Occasional bean versus leaf: the result I would like to comment on your two excellent articles Coffee and the Spirit of Adventure and The Simple Truth of a Nice Cup of Tea [qv Oc- casional issue 2]. Tea is weak, thin, conservative, Empire. Coffee is rich, dark, Europe, the World. No contest. Lesley Collins

leaf versus bean: the result May I suggest that your tea correspondent seems ill-suited to the role. Plenty of people know what tea tastes like and they most In praise of the pencil certainly care. The brutal impact of the coffee Pointed, portable and deceptively important, the pencil has hit is all very well but it lacks the subtlety and finesse of a skilfully changed the world. Barney Kemp explains why. blended, carefully brewed English breakfast tea; or a Lady Grey; or an We live in a world where digital defined mark with a greater degree But can you remember when Orange Pekoe. is king. Faster, thinner, brighter, of control. And if you didn’t like the you last bought a pencil? You’ll no Perhaps your correspondent is we’re encouraged to believe that thoughts you had committed to pa- doubt have a number of them in under the misapprehension that upgrading to newer devices – albeit per, you could rub it out with a little your home, in a drawer somewhere using a bag of dusty tea powder is ones that are remarkably similar to ball of moistened bread. A hundred or a in pot on a shelf; but how did in any way related to a high-grade those we already have – will make years later, the development of the they get there? Pencils are like loose leaf. Correctly prepared and the world a happier place. caoutchouc or ‘rubber’ reduced that. They come home with you in served in an appropriate receptacle, In all this back-lit, megapixel the chance of mice making off with a pocket (how they get there is an- there is a world of difference. roar it’s easy to forget that there’s your eraser, although these early other question) and, relying on their Should we discover he puts a something else we own that does rubbers deteriorated over a short humble, everyday nature, they just bag in a novelty mug and squeezes what it’s supposed to do reliably amount of time and tended to rot. slip in unseen. And then they wait, it out with a spoon, perhaps his and consistently without the need to In 1839 these shortcomings were dependably within reach until the tea-drinking credentials should be embrace the next model. With its addressed when chemist Charles moment they’re pressed into hand revoked. sustainable, renewable hardware Goodyear developed Vulcanization, and into action. HRH Mags, London and an operating system that’s a process of curing rubber that Held by thumb against index and remained unchanged for hundreds produced greater durability and put middle finger, the pencil rests lightly mug versus cup of years, the humble pencil unques- erasers into reliable everyday use. but with confidence as the point Quite right: I'm not drinking out tionably deserves a place behind We owe much to Nicolas- makes its way across the page, of an Arsenal mug under any everyone’s ear. Jacques Conté, an 18th century leaving tiny graphite flecks adhered circumstances. George Graham's But as we embark on the 20th to the fibres in the paper. And each stultifying understanding of what year of the 21st century, are pencils The humble pencil one will keep doing that for around constitutes tactical acceptability and becoming obsolete primary-school 45,000 words. On the Road by Arsene Wenger's inability to bear devices? Or are they future-proof unquestionably Kerouac comprises around twice witness to anything outside the instruments of creative genius? this many but, given the sugges- confines of the technical area when Perhaps on provenance alone the deserves a place be- tions that it would be 50% better the occasion suited would leave a pencil has earned a rightful place by being 50% shorter, one pencil’s very bitter after-taste. in the mugs on our desks. Da Vinci hind everyone’s ear worth of waffle is plenty for your Mr B Kemp, Pembury sketched with them, Thomas Edison own self-congratulatory opus. made all his notes with them and French army officer who created the Of course, one could try and ar- prize-worthy correspondence Roald Dahl fastidiously sharpened modern pencil by mixing water with gue that any adoration and appreci- requires recognition them – always six at a time, always graphite and clay. He discovered ation of the pencil could be equally The secret to a properly functioning American-made Dixon Ticonderoga that, depending on proportions, the applied to the pen but, much like a letters page is generating sufficient 2HB. And, although evolved and shaped and fired rods would pro- broken pencil, that would be miss- correspondence to convince read- improved over the last 500 years, duce a different intensity of scrawl ing the point. ers that the editorial staff are not pencils have remained strikingly on the page; more clay and the Sharpened in determination, just writing the letters themselves similar to their original design. result was a harder rod leaving a chewed in concentration and for their own amusement. With all credit to Neolithic folk lighter mark, while a greater propor- snapped in anger, pencils have Perhaps a top-quality writing who first used graphite to decorate tion of graphite produced a softer been there by our side, through implement for the star letter would ceramics, it wasn’t until the 1600s and darker ‘lead’. For the modern thick lines and thin, for a long time. do the trick? that its widespread use as a writing pencil user, there’s something for And, as if in quiet reminder that Mr C Hale [redacted] implement was adopted, following everyone within the 20 grades of digital hasn’t won the race just yet, An excellent idea. A superbly the discovery of a large deposit of graphite. From the lightness of a a pencil point is just perfect for weighted Faber Castell with its ‘silk’ graphite in Borrowdale, Cumbria 9H, with its hard, sharp architectural pressing the inexplicably small reset graphite, silver end cap, tooling and some years earlier. It was popular lines, to the soft, smudgy, free-form button on your Wi-Fi router. two-year guarantee worth £6.50 a because, unlike the lead styli of the blackness of the 9B, it’s a case of Just be sure you have a sharpen- pop to next issue's star letter. Or the Romans, graphite produced a more 2B or not 2B, your choice. er to hand too. ● first genuine one. Ed.

The Headington Occasional Spring 2020 15 VOLUNTEER NEW HEPATITIS B VACCINE TRIAL

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HBV001 Poster 1 v1.0 25th September 2019