YourOxford Winter 2011 Building a world-class city for everyone Circulation 62,000 ...and inside

P2/3: Win concert tickets

P13: New gift shop

P7: A guide to the planning process JoinJoin usus forfor aa crackingcracking nightnight ofof festivefestive funfun Photo courtesy: Greg Smolonski, Photovibe

COME and celebrate the arrival of local artists Cool ‘n’ Bodleian Library, Oxford Playhouse, the the Christmas season on Friday Groovy at the Ark T Museum of the History of Science, the Pitt Centre. Stage Rivers Museum and The Story Museum. 2 December with an exciting evening P10/11: Our performance of processions, lights, dance, art, live performances of Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night returns to Oxford music and performance in Oxford. dance and music for the second year. Oxford Contemporary and the light Music invite you to download his free PLUS Festivities start with a magical lantern switch-on will take place in St Giles, with sound sculpture of shimmering bells, P4: Visit our website procession, supported by MINI Plant presenters from BBC Radio Oxford keeping chimes and grand chorales and bring along Oxford, leaving the Old Fire Station in the crowds entertained as the evening unfolds. your portable stereo to join the promenade. P19: Your Councillors Gloucester Green at 6pm. St Giles will also host stalls selling hot food See our Light Night pull-out for full The 30-minute procession will weave and drinks, Christmas gifts and a special details of how to get involved. Recycle it... through the streets of Oxford, with Queen children’s area with rides and present-making Christmas Light Night in Oxford is Your Oxford is printed on Street, Cornmarket Street, and St Giles workshops. Theatres, museums and coordinated by Oxford Inspires, Oxford City environmentally friendly paper. Please offering great viewing spots. galleries are opening their doors for a special Council and Ian Nolan Events Ltd on behalf recycle Your Oxford in your blue Over a dozen Oxfordshire schools and late night viewing of their exhibitions and of communities and cultural organisations wheelie bin when you have finished reading it. Call the press office on community groups are involved with the displays, enhanced with performances. These across the city. 01865 252096 or email procession and, using the theme of the include Oxford Castle, Modern Art Oxford, ■ For more detailed information on [email protected] if you would Twelve Days of Christmas, have created O3 Gallery, the Town Hall and Museum of Christmas Light Night activities visit like to make any comments or to beautiful, unique lanterns, with the help of Oxford, the Ashmolean Museum, the www.oxfordinspires.org or www.oxford.gov.uk advertise in Your Oxford. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 2 www.oxford.gov.uk 3 Winter 2011 Winter 2011 A message Your guide to... See Santa and join festive singalong Two good reasons to visit The VISIT Santa in his Town Hall grotto Sunday 18 December. between 17 – 23 December, open Tickets cost £2 and go on sale in from the 10am to 4pm. December. Gallery at Oxford Town Hall Sing along at the traditional Lord ■ For more information visit ■ Persecution & Survival Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert, www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk or call Sunday 15 Jan to Sat 10 March 2012 Leader of What’s On taking place in the Town Hall on 01865 252351 AN EXHIBITION exploring the life of Professor Paul Jacobsthal, a Celtic your Council archaeologist who fled Nazi Germany in 1936. Dear Friends and Residents Find out about life as a refugee in Oxford in World War II, through THIS edition of Your Oxford features the fun and enjoyment film, oral history, smells and family on offer on Christmas Light Night – which will extend into St craft activities. Giles this year to accommodate the crowds enjoying the late Jazz up your Christmas! evening opening of many of our great museums, shops and ■ Head Over Heels visitor attractions. Sat 31 March to Sat 2 June There are also features about the completion of several of Win tickets to see legendary band at the O2 AN EXHIBITION of Oxfordshire hats the important new facilities that the Council has been OVER-18s can enjoy a night out at The three years they’ve played over 500 gigs, including and shoes. Featuring research developing over the past two years. The Old Fire Station has undertaken by local community Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival and the Royal reopened as a unique combination of spaces for the Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band’s groups. performing and visual arts, together with training opportuni- Christmas knees up at the O2 Academy Albert Hall. ties for homeless and badly housed people. It on Friday, 16 December, doors open at To win one of five pairs of free tickets for this will be managed jointly by the national housing 8pm. event, answer the question below and return the charity Crisis and the OFS Arts Company. This music of this Oxford seven-piece band is form to the Town Hall by 5pm on Thursday, 8 The Council’s new bright and modern sophisticated and energetic, drenched in December. Customer Service Centre opened in St mid-century Jazz and R&B. Tickets are available from the O2 Academy’s Aldate’s this September and a new Their live shows are legendary and in the past box office. customer call centre has also been completed. The new sports pavilion  for Barton has been opened in time Which famous London jazz club for the football season, and the comprehensive playground was founded in Soho in 1959? renovation programme has reached its 50th completion with the extremely popular and imaginative Professor Paul Jacobsthal Bury Knowle Park scheme. But Christmas 2011 also Don’t miss your chance to see The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band sees Oxford facing some Name: serious challenges. The reductions in housing benefit that Address: began in April are making it Win tickets for New Year concert increasingly difficult for the Council Traditional Viennese New Year’s to meet its legal duty to find Concert accommodation for homeless Phone number: Sunday 1 January 2012, 3.30pm, families within the city. And with Oxford Town Hall unemployment among young Gail Pearson soprano, John people rising, housing Send your form to Press Office, Oxford City Council, Georgiadis conductor allowances for the young are  St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX or hand it into the Town also being cut. The changes to THIS traditional Viennese New Year Hall reception by 5pm on Thursday, 8 December. Council Tax benefits in just concert, under the direction of John Winners will be notified by 5pm on Friday, 9 Georgiadis, brings a scintillating over a year’s time will cut the Photo: Zoe Norfolk Help planning December. sequence of waltzes, marches and Council’s ability to support low Help planning income families and create polkas in the beautiful setting of WE HAVE one pair of free tickets to give away Competition is open to over-18s only. All correct expensive new bureaucratic Oxford Town Hall. for this great cultural event. To enter the prize entries will be entered into a draw. Your details will burdens. your big day A perfect way to see in the New draw, simply put your name and contact details NOT be stored for use for any other promotion, The Council’s commitment to Year. onto a postcard and post to New Year's Day competition or use. Tickets can be collected by tackle the city’s long-standing housing A wedding at Oxford Town Hall Tickets: £37 / £26 / £17.50 / £10. Competition, Press Office, Oxford City Council, winners from Oxford Town Hall from Friday, 9 crisis remains top of the agenda for the coming years – the Box Office 020 8450 1060 St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1BX or hand into the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times December or we can arrange to post them out. Barton development, undertaken in partnership with the www.oxfordphil.com Town Hall reception by Friday 9 December. The Oxford Town Hall email: [email protected] winner will be notified on Monday 12 December. Grosvenor Estate, is moving ahead quickly, as are the rede- Sunday, 4 March 2012, 10.30am-4.30pm velopment schemes around the new Cowley and Northway Community Centres. And, with all Council homes now reach- IF YOU’RE planning a wedding, make sure Great line-up announced as city prepares to dance the night away ing the national benchmark standard, future programmes will you come along to the Oxfordshire Wedding aim to increase their quality even further. Show at Oxford’s beautiful Town Hall. Dancin’ Oxford 2012 Pegasus Theatre is staging fabulous Enjoy the festivities – and please see how you can help any The best local suppliers will be on hand to Saturday 18 February - Wednesday national dance companies including elderly neighbours or those with disabilities in the cold weather. help inspire your choices for your own special 28 March Patricia Cuberos, whose tango performances are infused with heat and day, including dressmakers, florists, wedding DANCIN’ Oxford 2012 has an exciting With good wishes cake designers and photographers. It’s the passion and Tavaziva Dance Company festival line-up, and launches with visiting for a third year with their unique ultimate day out for any bride to be. an impressive series of outdoor Councillor Bob Price Oxford’s historic Town Hall is a popular cutting-edge style, fusing African and performances in locations around Leader, Oxford City Council venue for weddings and receptions. Our range contemporary dance. Oxford city centre on Saturday, of magnificent rooms can cater for larger The newly-reopened Old Fire Station 18 February. Translations: ‘Language Line’ – a telephone translation service to help people with and small events and our dedicated team will host a series of family-friendly information about Council services – is available at all Council offices. will work with you to plan your perfect day. Returning to the 2012 festival is workshops, and the popular ■ For more information, visit French aerial dance company Dance-A-Thon will be back offering Produced by Media & Communications, Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Retouramont, who wowed audiences Oxford OX1 1BX. email: [email protected] www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk 45-minute taster sessions in many last year with a breathtaking different dance styles. Design by Merlin Publications (tel: 01442 827146, email: [email protected]). email: [email protected] or call 01865 252195 Tavaziva Dance Company performance display on the walls of ■ For more information visit Oxford Castle. www.dancinoxford.co.uk Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 4 Winter 2011 Tough action to enforce HMO Click, Call, Come in licensing law NEARLY 500 applications for our Click ... get information on our user-friendly website Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) Licensing Scheme have been OXFORD City Council’s aim is to such as fly tipping, graffiti and missed received since January this year. provide consistent and easy bin collections From January 2012, every HMO in the access to the full range of council ■ Finding key information such as city will require a licence. services via our website: your bin collection day, local planning We’re taking tough action on enforce- www.oxford. gov.uk applications and leisure centre ment. Making services available online timetables Three landlords and a letting agent benefits our customers by giving them ■ Informing us about changes in were recently found guilty by the courts easy access to council services 24 circumstances, such as Council Tax for offences under the Housing Act, and hours a day. moves and student Council Tax there are several more cases in the It also reduces the cost of providing exemptions pipeline. the service by reducing face-to-face ■ Following us on Twitter, Facebook or We have also used our powers to take and telephone contact. via our new RSS (Really Simple over an unlicensed HMO because a The current top tasks on our website Syndication) feeds to get all the latest landlord, after being prosecuted twice, include: news from the Council and to get in could not find anyone willing to manage ■ Making online payments including touch with any queries or issues: the property. Council Tax, Council housing rent and www.oxford.gov.uk/socialmedia We’re chasing down all HMOs to business rates There are many more services make sure they are licensed to meet the Photo: Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net ■ Reporting environmental issues, available to you on our website – visit required standards that make them safe our Do It Online pages for full details: to live in, and we want your help to www.oxford.gov.uk/doitonline locate them all. Call ... use our telephone Contact Centre Check our website to see if a licence OUR telephone Contact Centre training, quality and service If you have any suggestions on has been issued for a particular property is available Monday to Friday, development purposes and how we can improve our website, or email us the address at hmos@ please email oxford.gov.uk and we’ll look into it. 8am until 6pm on 01865 249811. may be used for the detection [email protected] – we www.oxford.gov.uk/licensingapplications ■ Please note: All calls to the of fraud and/or to establish will be happy to hear from you. contact centre are recorded for facts. Planning for Come in ... If you can’t find what you need on the web an emergency OXFORD City Council, Oxfordshire or over the phone, then visit County Council, Thames Valley our Customer Service Centre Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Oxford’s City Centre OXFORD City Council’s new Manger have been working together look Customer Service Centre to produce an updated city centre opened in September. evacuation and shelter plan. It provides residents with access to This document is regularly refreshed a wide range of council services to take into account any new road including housing benefits, planning, layouts and systems that have been put council tax, housing enquiries, in place. recycling and waste and environmental The evacuation and shelter plan can health matters. The light and bright be used for any type of emergency, open plan centre features two ranging from a fire in the city to dedicated self-service areas to flooding. access our online services as well as The group will shortly be delivering private interview rooms. information to businesses in the city The centre operates an centre about their role during any appointment service, book by calling incident that may require people to 01865 249811. evacuate or take shelter. If you can’t book in advance, call in and we’ll see you as soon as an advisor becomes free. Barton gets new The Customer Service Centre is open Monday to Thursday from 9am until 5pm and Friday 9am until sports pavilion 4.30pm. WE RECENTLY completed the replacement of the outdated sports pavilion at Barton, with a And follow us on Twitter or Facebook new fit for purpose building for the whole community to enjoy. . . . to get all the latest news from media channels including news from Look out for the RSS The Pavilion, finished on sched- the Council and to get in touch with our leisure centres and Oxford Town symbol on our website. ule, comprises changing rooms, us about any queries or issues: Hall: We currently have RSS feeds avail- toilets, bar and a large social ■ twitter.com/OxfordCity ■ www.oxford.gov.uk/socialmedia able for the following services, with room, providing residents with a ■ www.facebook.com/Oxford We have recently introduced RSS more on the way: new community venue. CityCouncil (Really Simple Syndication) feeds to ■ Consultation calendar feed We are currently reviewing the Visit the Social Media page of our our website which allows you to ■ Council meetings, agenda, existing pavilion stock with the website to find out about other have news on various different minutes and decisions feed aim of improving their quality and official Oxford City Council social services delivered directly to you. ■ ePetitions feed accessibility. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 5 Winter 2011 ...and a double for association Award applauds our CUTTESLOWE Community Association is the first community association in the country to twice receive Award for Sports Development team the prestigious VISIBLE accreditation from THE work of our Sports Community Matters. work to They first achieved VISIBLE Development Team has scooped the Quest status in 2007, and repeated award, the UK quality their success again this year. scheme for Sport and The VISIBLE accreditation Leisure. recognises strong sustainable Quest provides a community organisations and cut CO2 framework for assesses how they meet seven managing teams key principles. OXFORD City Council has involved in development These include how they initi- become the first UK local activities, which ate new projects that respond authority to earn the new encourage increased to local need and provide ways BSI Kitemark award for participation in physical of engaging people to become Energy Reduction activity, sport, recreation active in their community. Verification (ERV). and play. This independent verification scheme builds on It assists teams to Valuing our staff organisations’ good energy and carbon work effectively management practices, and independently verifies towards continuously meeting and exceeding reduction in CO2 emissions. customers’ needs. The scope of the Council’s certification covers The team delivers a WE ARE delighted to have twenty of our larger operational buildings, including number of projects to achieved Investors in People offices, depots and leisure centres as well as our encourage people to Accreditation, which has been vehicle fleet. become more active, a key target for the Council. We have recently introduced low emission including Get Oxfordshire Active available to you visit: This acknowledges the vehicles, swimming pool covers, solar panels on (GO Active), Active Women and www.oxford.gov.uk/leisureandparks progress that we have made in our buildings and low energy lighting, which have StreetSports. email: managing and developing our all helped us achieve this recognition. ■ For more information on these [email protected], staff, leading to business ■ To find out more about BSI’s new ERV Kitemark projects and other opportunities phone: 01865 252727 improvement and better public scheme visit www.bsigroup.co.uk/ERVKitemark services. BODRUM IS THE FIRST TURKISH BODRUM KEBAB HOUSE @ No 10 IN THE HISTORY OF OXFORD. Mediterranean Turkish Restaurant Located @ The Heart of Oxford City Centre Bodrum is celebrating its 23rd anniversary this year. TURKISH PIZZA LAMACHUN We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their support. PIDDA & CHICKEN GRILL Merry Christmas & Happy New Year GRILLED KEBABS & STEAKS WITH DAILY CHEF’S SPECIALS NOW OPENS ITS DOORS LOTS OF CHOICE FOR VEGETARIANS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY CENTRE OFFERS BANQUET SEATING. PARTY @ BODRUM Suitable for Book your Christmas Party Wedding Receptions, Birthday Parties or Any Other Occasions @ Discounted Prices for Parties having set menus. "/$25- Try the Mediterranean Experience! 10 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH Tel: 01865 201 778 Web: www.bodrumoxford.com Open on Christmas Day Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 6 Winter 2011 Your views help us shape development WE’RE working on a partnership project to build 109 new homes and state-of-the-art Curtain up on a community facilities in Oxford. The project is led by Hab Oakus, the joint venture between Kevin McCloud’s company Hab and housing group GreenSquare. Hab Oakus carried out pre-planning consultation events in Cowley and Northway throughout the summer. The feedback from the events will feed new future into the design, ready for a planning application to be submitted in the autumn. A decision on the application will be made next year. If the planning application is successful then building work should start at Barns Road and Dora Carr Close next summer, with Westlands Drive following a year later. It is hoped that the last for theatre phase of the project will be completed in late 2014. A good sign for visitors WE’RE working on a project to redesign Oxford’s wayfinding and signage system. We want to make our city more inviting to residents and visitors. Following consultation, we’re introducing a new system that includes a range of high quality signs directing people to over 100 destinations, with accompanying maps and visitor information. We’ll also be offering a state-of-the-art ‘smart tag’ function which allows people to Dennis Rollins – photo by William Ellis download additional information direct to THE Old Fire Station opens on George Street this November after their mobile phones. undergoing a stunning redevelopment through a partnership between Watch out for the new signs that are Oxford City Council and the housing charity, Crisis. scheduled to be installed in early 2012. The newly-refurbished theatre will host great music, plays and dance, and the dance studio on site will offer a wide range of dance classes to fit most tastes every week night. Theatre highlights coming up include Dancemania and Point Zero, Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio promoted by Oxford Contemporary Music and The Spin Photo: Hero by Pam Glew (Oxford’s premier jazz club) and the return of the Oxford Theatre Guild with vocational workshops and accredited Breaking the Code by Hugh Whitemore. learning opportunities. The Gloucester Green entrance opens The Old Fire Station will also onto a new shop, selling work created by accommodate a new social enterprise, artists from Oxfordshire and beyond. The the Crisis Skylight Café, providing great shop leads into a gallery that is showing snacks for the public alongside on the Urban Art in November and work by job training for the unemployed. Oxfordshire Craft Guild in December – ■ For more information about Arts at perfect for original Christmas presents. the Old Fire Station visit www.oldfire Meanwhile, Crisis Skylight Oxford will station.org.uk. be working with homeless people within ■ For more information about Crisis the Old Fire Station to offer creative and Skylight see www.crisis.org.uk/oxford Gum-busters take campaign to Jericho OUR successful Cleaner, Greener campaign has recently launched in Jericho to improve the cleanliness of the streets, remove any graffiti and increase the recycling rate in the area. The Cleaner, Greener campaign was first introduced in October 2009, in partnership with the Oxford Mail, to reduce the amount of cigarette butts, chewing gum and litter being dropped in the city centre. The campaign has also visited Blackbird Leys and East Oxford. Barton homes scheme well under way WORK is progressing well on the us produce an Area Action Plan for development of over 800 homes in the development. We’re aiming to Barton. publish this plan in January 2012 for Residents gave their views this public consultation. To find out more summer which we are using to help visit – www.oxford.gov.uk/barton Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 7 Winter 2011 How you are helping to shape future housing policies Railings make IN THE last issue of Your Oxford, we for a summary report of your respons- during the consultation. We will consult asked for your views on our Sites and es, or order a copy by contacting the you again at the beginning of 2012. a comeback in Housing Development Plan Document. Planning Policy Team. Please sign up to our online This document set out options for We are now working to balance all consultation portal to keep informed the development of sites in Oxford and the relevant issues and draft the next www.oxford.gov.uk/consultation North Oxford options for new policies to guide stage of the document confirming our ■ For more information visit WE’RE working planning applications for residential amended proposals. This includes issues www.oxford.gov.uk/sitesandhousing or with the Oxford developments. from our Core Strategy and Corporate contact our Planning Policy Team, Preservation Visit Plan, together with the views of organi- email [email protected] or Trust (OPT) to www.oxford.gov.uk/sitesandhousing sations and the responses we received call 01865 252847 encourage the reinstatement of railings in North Oxford. Traditional iron railings were an important and Your guide to the distinctive feature of the North Oxford Victorian Garden Suburb, but many were removed during the war. Those that survived are in need of repair or replacement. Now, many home owners want to replace them and improve their property planning process and we hope this guide will help. The guide can be downloaded from OXFORD City Council’s planning Decide whether the development needs planning our website department manages new permission. We are happy to offer advice on this www.oxford.gov.uk/northoxfordrailings development by ensuring it com- ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ ➜ We’ve also worked closely with local businesses to help them manufacture plies with current planning policies. Seek advice – we are happy to advise on what The diagram right gives you a simple railings. may or may not be acceptable before submitting Local residents who wish to cast their guide to the process of applying for a planning application planning permission. own railings can hire a pattern for a ■ To find out more visit small fee from the Oxford Preservation www.oxford.gov.uk/planning or call Submit the planning application with the plans Trust, who we have helped with a grant 01865 249811. and the appropriate fee. of £4,000 to produce a number of railing Photo: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net pattern moulds. Officers consider the application against the rele- vant policies

The application is decided by officers or by a Providing competitively priced, high quality and committee of local councillors sustainable commercial services to business partners in and around our city Applicants can appeal against a refused application services Carry out the development in accordance with the OXFORDdirect approved plans and comply with all planning con- . ditions at the right stage – or there may be serious working for residents working for business consequences

Image: David Castillo / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Need some planning advice? A LOT of planning advice is available maximum of 15 minutes. Oxford Direct Services has long-standing experience of working with a at www.oxford.gov.uk/planning, and If further advice is required, we offer a wide range of public and private sector organisations as well as our customer service team may also more formal pre-application advice individual customers from across Oxfordshire. be able to help with enquiries. service. We provide informal free planning But if your advice is technical or you Our team of dedicated staff are here to discuss your needs across the advice to customers visiting our St need to see a planning officer, call in to wide range of value for money services we provide: Aldate’s Customer Service Centre. see a duty officer: b The duty officer is available for up to a ■ Monday - Friday 10am - 1pm Vehicle fleet servicing, repair and maintenance b Drainage, ground works, dropped kerbs, and road surfacing b Winter maintenance and contract road sweeping Learn about applications in your area b Signage, vehicle livery and roadway lining b KEEP up to date with planning submitted in your registered MOT Testing for cars, vans and minibuses applications in your area by signing postcode areas. b Commercial recycling and waste disposal up to our Oxford Planning Finder. You will also receive notification of b Property improvement, maintenance and welfare adaptations Register up to ten Oxford any updates and decisions, and a postcodes and select the size of link to our Public Access site, where For quotations and more information visit: the area you would like searched you can make online comments www.oxford.gov.uk E: [email protected] for each. about an application. You will then get free email alerts ■ To sign up for this service, visit about planning applications www.oxford.gov.uk/planningfinder Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 8 Winter 2011 Plans for new-look museum and café Join Talkback and THE ambitious project to develop Fund of £43,600. The Museum’s original and the new-look, fully licensed café help shape the Oxford Town Hall into an interesting site closed its doors for the last time on will open seven days a week until late, cultural heritage site is making good 29 October. The new galleries, telling the offering great new menu choices. progress. history of Oxford and its people, will have In the meantime, the Museum still has future of Oxford A project to relocate the Museum into a very different feel. Make sure you call a full programme of events for families, new galleries within the Town Hall is in and take a look at the new unique dis- schools and community groups. under way and has attracted external plays scheduled to open in spring 2012. ■ For more information visit funding awards of £48,628 from Waste Improvements include a complete www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) refurbishment of the Town Hall’s Gallery email [email protected] or call and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Café. This will re-open in December 01865 252761. Bringing poetry to

Matthew Tye OUR Talkback Citizens’ panel, of almost 1,000, residents, is helping us to plan and monitor our services the people and provide valuable insight on local issues. YOUR Oxford welcomes Kate Clanchy, “I’m honoured and excited to be Matthew Tye, a student at Oxford our first City Poet. Oxford’s first City Poet. I’m not going to University, shares his thoughts about Oxford City Council and Oxford be a Laureate working on my own paeans being a panel member “I first heard of Brookes University’s Poetry Centre are of praise to the dreaming spires: instead, Talkback through my Student Union. working together with Kate to bring I aim to encourage other people to write “Students are always being asked poetry to people in our community and about life in our multi-cultural city.” to contribute to an endless list of inspire them to realise their own potential Steven Matthews, Professor and Joint activities, meetings, surveys and to compose poetry. Director of Research at Oxford Brookes groups, but the idea of Talkback really Kate was born and brought up in University, says: “The Poetry Centre at caught me and I knew it was Photo: Christopher Cornwell/Oxford Scotland, but has lived in Oxford for some Oxford Brookes has worked on local something that I just had to get Brookes University Creative Services years now. She’s written three collections poetry initiatives in the city for over a involved with. Kate Clanchy aims to inspire us into verse of poetry and also writes stories. decade now. “We are very excited to participate in Consultation the City Poet initiative, and look forward “I think it’s vital that all groups and to working with Kate, who we are lucky to peoples are involved in feeding back see as the first poet to take on the role.” to the Council, it’s the only way in Kate will work with students at Brookes which consultation can be truly University, and with the help of the charity reflective of Oxford’s population. First Story, she’ll also have a base at “I’m a part of Talkback because I Oxford Spires Academy. know that the views I put in are Kate is aiming to visit all schools across always taken seriously and given the the city and to establish partnerships credit and consideration they and projects with community groups and deserve.” THOMAS & young people. ■ Panel members are Kate will also have a key role in helping sent questionnaires FATHER CHRISTMAS to promote and develop Oxford’s bid to three or four time a December become UNESCO’s World Book Capital year. Visit in 2014. www.oxford.gov.uk/talkback and Saturdays/Sundays ■ For more information select the Talkback option or call our 3/4, 10/11, 17/18 & visit www.oxford.gov.uk/oxfordcitypoet consultation officer on 01865 252057. Wednesday/Thursday Make your big day really special 21/22 0930–1700 ARE you a couple who dare to be different? Come along to Oxford Town Hall Ride behind the famous on Sunday 1 April 2012 for the massive UK blue engine to meet Father launch of a new kind of wedding show, as Christmas in his grotto Bodacious Bride launches in Oxford. Bodacious Bride Fairs will cater for those Book online at who wish to have an alternative wedding to those considered the norm. From Rockabilly www.ticketweb.co.uk to Goth, Medieval to Vintage, and everything inbetween, they aim to provide the style that Open all weekends and most school holidays modern couples are after. Please phone or refer to our website for full details of steamdays The Bodacious Team aim to shake up the and other events. Entrance at Didcot Parkway rail station. industry, and make the whole experience of getting married more fun and individual. Signed from M4 (Junction 13) and A34 Follow the run up to the event with exclusive sneak peeks and information on the amazing RECREATING THE GOLDEN AGE OF exhibitors, workshops and shows on Twitter by following the team THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY @bodaciousbride or visit their blog on Registered Charity No 272616 www.bodaciousbrides.co.uk from 14 November. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 9 Winter 2011

Professor Rajat Gupta in the energy efficient house Making older Photo courtesy: Oxford Brookes University homes more eco-friendly Family sees big savings from CO2-cutting measures OXFORD City Council, Ridge Property ways of reducing CO2 emissions. and Construction consultants and Measures include advanced levels of Oxford Brookes University are work- insulation, triple glazing, a highly efficient Award recognises innovative design ing together on new ways to slash gas fired boiler, low energy lighting and WE’RE looking for nominations for were Magdalen School and Brasenose CO2 emissions by making changes to appliances, and a solar photovoltaic the David Steel Sustainable Building College. housing. system generating electricity. Award. To be considered for the award, Steve and Shirley Bishop, who live in a Shirley, says: “The house is much The award is for environmentally developers must demonstrate that Victorian terraced house in Jericho, have warmer after the refurbishment and we friendly, resource efficient buildings they have exceeded the requirements seen their home energy consumption are enjoying all the benefits of the work and is dedicated to a Council officer within existing building regulations and cut by 85 per cent and should see their that has been carried out.” who died in 2006. David contributed planning policy documents. bills drop from £600 a year to about Professor Rajat Gupta, from Oxford significantly to the work of the Climate To find out more about the award £150, as part of this project researching Brookes University, says; “This house Change Action Team. and how to apply, visit www.oxford.gov. had no insulation, very poor daylight lev- The award aims to recognise uk/sustainablebuildingsaward or con- els and poor ventilation. developments that incorporate tact the planning policy team on 01865 Did you know... “The aim is to find out whether existing environmentally friendly solutions 252847. The latest date for nominations housing can achieve a target reduction within their design. Last year’s winners is Friday 2 December. that Oxford has ten publicly of 80 per cent carbon emissions and so available electric vehicle (EV) far the project shows this can be done.” charge posts? The project, costing £90,000, was There are six in our car parks funded by the Government’s Technology CLEANER around the city and four at our Strategy Board as part of its nationwide GREENER Park and Ride sites. They are Retrofit for the Future Programme. The OXFORD operated by Chargemaster on project aims to show how an older behalf of Oxford City Council and house can reach Government targets of Oxfordshire County Council. an 80 per cent reduction in carbon For £50, you can buy a tag giving emissions by 2050. you access to all the charging There are approximately 26 million points in Oxford, Cambridge, homes in the UK and their energy use Milton Keynes and Hillingdon. accounts for 27 per cent of total UK CO2 ■ Details at emissions. Of those 26 million proper- www.oxford.gov.uk/carparks ties, it is estimated three-quarters will still be in use by 2050. CashCash helphelp goinggoing electricelectric

Oxford City Council Pest Control Experienced, local, friendly, and reliable service b Rats b Mice b Squirrels b Pigeons b Wasps b Cockroaches b Ants b Pharaohs Ants b Bed Bugs b Fleas Domestic and commercial work undertaken IN THE UK, we’re moving away from There are currently six EV models vehicles designed to run on petrol on sale in the UK that qualify for the T: 01865 249811 and diesel to vehicles designed to run grant of £5,000 to encourage people on electricity with zero emissions. to buy electric or plug-in hybrid cars. E: [email protected] www.oxford.gov.uk/pestcontrol You can apply for up to £5,000 off ■ Full details can be found at www. the price of a new electric car dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/ Building a world-class city for everyone through a new government scheme. plug-in-car-grant Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 10 www.oxford.gov.uk 11 Winter 2011 Winter 2011

OUR ambition is to be a flexible, fit-for-purpose organisation, delivering Achievements against high quality services and excellent value our priorities for money for all our citizens. More housing, better housing for all The City Council has made efficiency We have: ■ delivered 32 new council homes and 148 savings of around £4m a year over the affordable homes last three years and we will reduce ■ met our target to ensure all Council-owned homes achieve the Decent Homes Standard spend by a further £9m over the next four by December 2010 years. £5.9m of this will come from ■ helped prevent more people in the area from becoming homeless, achieving our further efficiences. At the same time, we target of 400 for the year a month earlier than planned have improved performance across 84% ■ successfully reduced the time it takes to of our indicators. re-let our council houses from 25.3 days to 20.8 days, exceeding our target of 24 days ■ become the first council in the country to require all private sector landlords of homes in multiple occupation (HMO) to be licensed with the aim of improving housing conditions for tenants. Since its introduc- tion, we have accredited 330 private landlords under the scheme ■ helped 84 families to move out of temporary accommodation since March 2010, exceeding our target of 65 ■ improved the responsiveness of our council housing repairs, completing 100% of emergency repairs and 98.1% of all other repairs on time.

Tackle inequalities and support communities average of 21 days to 11 days – a part of a nationwide process to select a Blackbird Leys Neighbourhood Action Group that allows local businesses and suppliers to sporting activities, representing one of the We have: significant improvement. number of areas to be Local Enterprise ■ launched our Cleaner, Greener Oxford calculate the carbon impact of their business highest increases in sporting participation ■ provided almost £366,000 of grants to ■ managed 1,032 enquiries on affordable Partnerships, 56 bids were made and campaign to tackle waste and ■ become the first UK local authority to be across all local authorities within England, voluntary sector organisations to enable home energy and fuel poverty, including 73 Oxfordshire was one of the 24 successful environmental offences. We have cleaned awarded the new BSI Kitemark for Energy with 10,000 more people exercising three them to provide financial and other advice home visits, for households in receipt of bidders your streets and taken enforcement action Reduction Verification (ERV) covering twenty times per week to the community income based benefits. ■ been awarded the prestigious Purple in 1,139 cases of our larger operational buildings including ■ been shortlisted in the Delivering ■ gained the Positive about Disabled Flag acknowledging the excellent quality of ■ provided free holiday activities for 1,505 offices, depots and leisure centres, as well Efficiency category of the Improvement and People Two Ticks accreditation from Improve the local environment, economy the evening and night time activities on offer young people living in the most deprived as our vehicle fleet. Efficiency South East 2011 Awards for our JobCentre Plus in recognition of our efforts and quality of life in the city centre, one of only six towns and areas in Oxford – over 500 more than the Council 2012 portfolio. This aims to reduce and commitment to the recruitment, cities to be recognised with this honour previous year. Transform Oxford City Council by improving expenditure by 20% whilst improving employment and retention of people We have: ■ been recognised by Oxford Preservation value for money and service performance service outcomes by 20%. with disabilities ■ completed the £2.2 million pound Trust in its 2010 awards for the Knowledge Tackle climate change and promote sustainable ■ continued to reduce the average days ■ converted the Old Fire Station centre on make-over of our leisure centres at Barton, and Understanding sculpture in Bonn Square environmental resource management We have: being lost to staff sickness through a robust George Street into a multi-disciplinary arts Blackbird Leys and Ferry. Improvements and for Hythe Bridge Street Pocket Park ■ introduced webcasting of our Full focus on staff absence monitoring and community resource for Oxford. This include a new cycling spinning studio at ■ helped improve food standards in Oxford We have: Council budget meeting in February, allowing ■ worked with our leisure provider, Fusion, initiative project between the City Council Blackbird Leys, a brand new gym at Barton through the Scores on the Doors scheme. ■ introduced the blue wheelie bin scheme the public to view our decision making to create targeted programmes, resulting in and Crisis (UK) will combine a Crisis and a large extension to the gym at Ferry. Since the scheme started, the number of to make recycling easier for residents. The processes live a 48% increase in visits by black and Skylight Centre offering education, training These centres are also benefiting from five star premises has more than doubled to scheme allows nearly all recycling material ■ achieved 27.6% of adults participating in minority ethnic community. and employment opportunities and an arts newly refurbished changing facilities and 180 and the number of food businesses to be placed in one container, including centre providing high quality facilities for upgraded reception areas with a one star or no star rating has plastics and drinks cartons. This has dance, theatre, and the visual arts ■ refurbished 50 play areas as part of our dropped by a quarter helped reduce the volume of material sent Where we can do better ■ commissioned arts and cultural programme to replace old equipment and ■ worked with businesses across the city to landfill and beaten our target for 2010/11 organisations to work with disadvantaged encourage young people to be more active centre on the Community Toilet Scheme to by 16% sections of the community. This has created ■ opened Oxford’s adiZone in Court Place make more toilets convenient and available ■ reduced our carbon footprint by 823 Customers getting through Additional homes provided an increase in the number of people engaging Farm – a giant multi-sport outdoor gym to the public over longer opening hours tonnes of CO2 through a series of first time on council’s with a wide range of arts activities. Projects venue which aims to inspire the local ■ increased the proportion of our spending improvements such as rationalising our main telephone numbers In 2010/11, only 234 homes were delivered have included the reopening of Pegasus community to get involved in sport with local businesses to 40% office space and updating the Ice Rink against our target of 350, due to the impact Theatre, Summer Screen festival for young ■ retained the Green Flag award for ■ been voted Britain’s cleanest city by refrigeration/chiller plant Our overall performance for the year of the economic downturn. However, our people, Playhouse Plays Out to estates and Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, Hinksey readers of Conde Nast’s Traveller magazine. ■ installed energy efficient lighting across was 80 per cent, almost 10 per cent five-year target is currently being achieved. areas with no access to a theatre, new artist Park and Florence Park – acknowledging the Westgate car park which uses around below target. commissions and a programme of them as among the best parks and green Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour 35% less energy than the replaced lighting This has been affected by an extra Criminal damage incidents participatory arts open to all spaces in the country systems, estimated to save around 179 20,000 calls received compared to last ■ continued to reduce the time to process ■ been recognised by the Government as We have: tonnes of CO2 per year year due to changes in waste There were 2292 incidents reported, new benefit claims and changes. Over the one of Britain’s most vital centres for ■ installed CCTV at sites in Blackbird Leys ■ set up a web-based carbon calculator collections and recycling, and the bad resulting in missing our 2 per cent last year, we have improved this from an economic and business development. As after residents raised this issue through the tool, in partnership with other local councils, winter weather. reduction target by 162 incidents. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 12 Winter 2011 Do your heating bills leave

For your convenience TEN city centre businesses are Dog Warden, currently signed up to the you cold? Ken Williams Community Toilet Scheme, which provides city centre users with more choice of clean and accessible We can help keep Strays service toilets in the city. These businesses display a sticker your costs down scoops gold in the window, showing they are happy to allow non-customers to use WITH the recent announcements OUR dog warden their toilet facilities during their normal from the main energy providers of service has received opening hours. If you run a business large price increases, the cost of the Gold Footprint and you would like to sign up to this keeping warm is rising. award for its Stray Dog scheme, then please let us know. It’s To help combat this, a free phone Collection Service. a great way of showing community helpline has been set up to advise The recognition is part involvement as well as potentially residents in Oxfordshire how to cut of the RSPCA’s boosting business. their energy bills. Community Animal Welfare ■ To find out more about the scheme The service is offered by the United Footprints 2011 (CAWF). visit Sustainable Energy Agency in The Stray Dog Footprint aims to www.oxford.gov.uk/communitytoilets partnership with Oxfordshire County recognise local authorities that have Council, the five Oxfordshire District excellent procedures in place to Councils and Oxfordshire Primary ensure the welfare of the dogs and promote schemes and services that can Care Trust. reduce the number of stray dogs – such Any resident in Oxfordshire who is as microchipping. struggling with their energy bills can If you lose or find a dog in Oxford, call call 0800 107 00 44 for free, impartial our dog warden service on 01865 249811. advice cavity wall and loft insulation. Fun for kids at novel play park

WE HAVE recently completed our The refurbishment is part of our 50th play area refurbishment at £2.5m programme to upgrade the Bury Knowle Park. city’s play areas. The park has an area designed for Other play areas undergoing younger children that offers a large improvements in 2012-2013 are sandpit with a pirate ship, climbing Hundred Acre Park, Play Barton, stones, swings, slides and springers. Oatlands Road Recreation and Older children can enjoy a zip Pegasus Road. wire, swing, climbing ropes and ■ For more information visit natural climbing wall. www.oxford.gov.uk/parks Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 13 Winter 2011 Theatre Looking for reviewing has new Xmas gifts? players WATCH out for the exciting new Open seven days a week, the shop retail space in the Town Hall. also sells unique work created by local The Oxford Town Hall and Museum artists and craft workers as well as Gift Shop offers a great range of traditional toys, greeting cards and local products that reflect the Museum’s history books. collections, including bespoke items ■ To find out more, visit that feature Town Hall paintings and www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk or call 01865 Museum artefacts. 252351 Imogen and Olivia IMOGEN Sarre and Olivia Edwards, With our newly designed site we are recently graduated from Oxford now seeking to develop links between University, have launched a new Oxford’s students and the local company, Online Theatre Review Ltd. community. We also hope to fulfil our Oxford Theatre Review was ambition to comprehensively cover already in existence when we took local and student theatre by up joint editorship in 2009 but encouraging theatre groups to upload sadly it had fallen out of students’ their own event information and consciousness. request reviewers online. The site was outdated and hard to We send two student reviewers to all use, and often only one review was plays, provide a comprehensive calendar posted per week. We saw the site’s of local events and all venues, societies ‘huge potential to fill the growing need, and individuals have profile pages amongst Oxford students and the local to document their contribution to community, for first night theatre theatre in their local area. reviews that were published online the ■ Visit www.oxfordtheatrereview.com following day. to find out more.

Katherine McAleer, Heritage Retail Assistant in the new gift shop ’ Offering a fair deal to the world DID YOU know that Oxford is a produce the goods get a decent wage Fairtrade City? and good working conditions. Fairtrade ensures that the people who Fair trade activity started in Oxford with Photo courtesy: Campaign Coffee in the 1970s, and we Margaret Stranks officially became a Fairtrade City in 2003. We have recently renewed our Fairtrade City status, and in the process were delighted to discover that there has been an amazing 168% increase in the number of retail and catering outlets in the city since the city’s first application in 2003. ■ To find out more visit www.oxfairtrade.wordpress.com/ Are you aged 60 or over and love a good movie? THEN why not enjoy three Picturehouse on Tuesday days of festive film magic December 13, Wednesday during December, complete December 14 and Thursday with free hot drinks and mince pies, December 15, starting at 11am. at the Phoenix Picturehouse cinema Your ticket to each of these films? in Walton Street, Oxford? Simply a copy of that day’s Oxford Co-sponsored by the Oxford Mail, Mail, just 42p, which will be on sale this annual yuletide festival offers at the cinema. Call the Phoenix on the chance to take-in a movie on 01865 316570 (after 1pm) or Jeremy the silver screen in a warm, festive Smith at the Oxford Mail on 01865 and friendly environment. The films 425435 for more information and are showing at the Phoenix details of the films showing. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 14 Winter 2011 Having trouble paying your bills? THE credit crunch is affecting us all. Centre locations For many families it means keeping a grip on spending but it can also mean ■ Agnes Smith Advice Centre ■ Oxford Citizens Advice Bureau that they have trouble making www.blackbirdleysnss.co.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk payments or may lose a business or 96 Blackbird Leys Road, Blackbird Leys, 95 St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1DA. a job. Oxford OX4 6HS. Telephone: 08444 111 444 Oxford City Council funds four advice Telephone: 01865 770206 ■ Rose Hill and Donnington Advice centres in Oxford. ■ Barton Advice Centre Centre These all provide free independent and www.bartonadvicecentre.org.uk www.rhdadvicecentre.moonfruit.com impartial advice on a wide range of Barton Neighbourhood Centre, Underhill 60 Ashhurst Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, subjects including benefits, housing and Circus, Barton, Oxford, OX3 9LS. OX4 4RF. Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net legal issues and debt management. Telephone: 01865 744152 Telephone: 01865 438634 Job Fair’s a big success OXFORD’S first Youth Job Fair, held in the Town Hall this summer, was a great success with over 350 young people attending. Get help managing The Fair, coordinated by Oxford City Council, was aimed at helping reduce youth employment across Oxfordshire. your money better Attendees at the successful Youth Job Fair Over 20 local businesses and partner organisations used the event to promote their vacancies for WHATEVER the career and apprenticeship opportunities. situation with Many have recruited into the roles your finances, offered and are committed to attending it’s good to similar events in the future. We are now know where working to establish a monthly Work you stand and Club to provide coaching and support in that you are finding work for all, including providing making the most of what you access to training via partner have. organisations. Local employers will be The Money Advice Service, an invited to join the events and recruit for independent advice organisation, any opportunities they have to offer. has a new online finance health The Oxford Work Club will be check to help everyone launched on Wednesday, 7 December understand and manage their and is registered on www.national money better. workclubs.net ■ Visit www.oxford.gov.uk/money ■ For more information, email adviceservice for their free [email protected] or contact personalised action plan Melanie Magee 01865 252848. Helpline for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities IN SEPTEMBER 2011, If you would like to learn Oxford Friend celebrated more about the work of the 30 year anniversary of Oxford Friend or find out how running their telephone to contact the group, visit helpline in the city. www.oxfordfriend.co.uk or The helpline, which receives funding email admin@oxford friend.co.uk from Oxford City Council, offers help Oxford Friend is particularly keen to and support to members of the gay, establish links with, and attract lesbian, bisexual and transgendered volunteers from, Oxford’s black and communities in Oxford and their minority ethnic communities who they friends and families. feel may currently be under-represented. Over its 30 years, the service has The Oxford Friend helpline number is been staffed entirely by volunteers. All 01865 726893 and it is staffed Tuesdays, volunteers are members of the Wednesdays and Fridays from 7pm – communities served, and therefore 9pm. Oxford Friend also run an email fully conversant with the manifold counselling service, contact difficulties and pressures faced. [email protected] Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 15 Winter 2011 Chill out with the family at ice rink Oxford in Bloom – Can’t skate? Learn on a growing success our beginners course OXFORD in Bloom celebrated its th WINTER is almost here, so why not learn 25 anniversary this year when how to manoeuvre your way through the over 150 people attended a ice and snow in style, with a visit to the presentation evening to share the recently refurbished Oxford Ice Rink. success of their hard work. Skating is great fun for all the family, with Oxford in Bloom welcomes general, family and over 50s sessions on offer, entries from all residents, local plus disco skating sessions in the evening. If businesses and colleges, providing you’re a beginner, discover the delights of they are within the city boundary. skating with our learn to skate course. Enjoy There are eleven categories performances from local, national and including Junior Oxford in Bloom, international skating stars on Saturday 3 and Best Kept Large Garden and Most Sunday 4 December when Oxford Ice Rink Beautiful Balcony. hosts its annual Christmas Gala. Oxford in Bloom is an Oxford ■ For more information visit City Council initiative in partnership www.oxford.gov.uk/leisure or contact the with the Oxford Mail, Templars rink on 0844 8933 222. For details of ice rink Square, Isis Creative Framing and parking discounts visit a committee of volunteers. www.oxford.gov.uk/icerinkparking ■ To find out more about Oxford In Bloom, email [email protected] Having fun or call Oxford City Council’s Parks New scheme champions sport at Oxford Service on 01865 252240. Ice Rink SPORT Makers is a new national pro- sport and receive support to identify gramme for everyone over 16, giving how to help get everyone more active you the opportunity to be part of the and to achieve their potential in sport. Olympic legacy by giving a little of In Oxford, opportunities to get your time to help get more people involved include becoming a leader in involved in sport and physical activity. the successful GO Active programme or Sport Maker workshops and conven- organising an activity for Sport Relief. tions will run right up to the 2012 Games. ■ Find out more at Volunteers will get a positive and www.oxfordshire sport.org/sportmakers inspiring introduction to the world of or call 01865 252726. Go and try out a new activity GO Active has a huge variety of sport and physical activities to offer you this winter. Whatever your age or ability, we have an activi- We are stockists of the official ty that is right for you, including yoga, tai chi, Zumba, walking and jogging. University of Oxford Collection. For more information about GO Active activities in your area, find us on We also stock a wide range Facebook or visit of licensed giftware including www.getoxfordshireactive.org. To kick Paddington Bear, Snoopy, start the season, we are offering everyone one free activity pass to a GO Active Hello Kitty, The Beatles, session. To find out more and to claim Peppa Pig, Ty and lots more. your free pass contact Vicki Galvin, GO Active Coordinator, email [email protected] on 01865 252720. Come and see your local sporting heroes 10% off THE finalists have been announced The Oxfordshire Sports Partnership all transactions and tickets are now on sale for the has once again teamed up with BBC Oxfordshire Sports Awards, taking Oxford as the Official Broadcast when you show place on Friday 9 December 2011 at Partners and the Oxford Mail as Official this advert (Cannot be used alongside the Kassam Stadium, Oxford. Media Partners to host the sixth any other offer) Come along and see Oxford’s finest anniversary of this annual event. sportsmen, women and youngsters ■ For more information, please visit being honoured for their achievements. www.oxfordshiresport.org Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 16 Winter 2011 Xmas waste collections You have bin YOUR regular recycling and waste collection days will not change over Christmas or New Year, apart from our garden waste service will be suspended for two weeks. If you have a lot of extra material to recycle, please place it by the side of your blue bin in a recycling or cardboard box or in a clear bag. busy! Please try to recycle as much as possible, extra landfill waste will not be collected. Recycling helps reduce ■ Visit www.oxford.gov.uk/recycling for details of your collection days waste going to landfill and other recycling and refuse MARIA Warner and Emily Martin from our information. recycling team are working to help increase the city’s recycling rate. Maria, says: “We introduced the new blue recycling Leftover food bins last year. “Over Christmas, we generate around 30 per cent DURING Christmas, more waste and most of this can be recycled. many people have Recycling team Maria Warner, left, and Emily Martin All your wrapping paper, Christmas card, wine leftover food. bottles, glass jars and lids, plastic bot- success with our brown bin “Alternatively, people can choose to The Love Food tles, trays and punnets, foil, tins and subscription service. buy biodegradable paper based Hate Waste campaign cans, drinks cartons can all be recycled “Around 12,000 people have signed compostable sacks for their garden has hints and tips on placed in your blue bin for recycling.” up to the scheme which provides a waste at a cost of £25 for a pack of 10 how to plan for Christmas and what If you can’t get it all in the bin, leave it brown wheelie bin service for fortnightly or £35 for a pack of 20.” to do with leftovers. in a suitable sack or box by the bin and collections of garden waste. The sacks will be collected from the Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste. we will take your extra recyclables away. “The scheme costs £35 a year and registered address of the purchaser only. com for more information. Garden waste success residents can choose either a 140 or ■ To find out more or to sign up to the Place any food you can’t reuse Emily Martin, adds: “We’ve had great 240 litre bin to suit your property. scheme visit www.oxford.gov.uk/recycling into your food waste caddy to email [email protected] or call enable it to be recycled for compost. 01865 249811. Chip in your old trees to RECYCLING help improve city’s parks

AFTER the Christmas festivities we will set up 17 sites across the city to collect your Christmas trees. The trees will be recycled into woodchips to use in the city’s parks and open spaces. Your guide to recycling The Christmas tree collection points will open and reusing in Oxfordshire between Monday 2 January and Sunday 15 from bikes to bags, socks to saxophones January 2012 inclusively. find out how to recycle them all at www.oxfordshirewaste.gov.uk Collection points ■ Hinksey Park ■ Florence Park ■ Meadow Lane Recreation Ground ■ Long Lane (Littlemore) (Jackdaw Lane) ■ Elizabeth Green (Northway) ■ Alexandra Courts ■ Oatlands Recreation Ground (car ■ Green Road, (Risinghurst) park) ■ Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre ■ Margaret Road Recreation Ground ■ Blackbird Leys Park (car park) ■ South Park (Morrell Avenue Gate) ■ Bury Knowle Park (car park) ■ Sunnymead Recreation Ground (by ■ Manzil Way Gardens play area) ■ Cutteslowe Park (Harbord Road car park) ■ Atkyns Road, Wood Farm Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 17 Winter 2011 Reaching across Group tackles the generations issues affecting OXFORD-BASED Full disabled people Circle is celebrating its tenth birthday. OXFORD Unlimited focuses on The charity aims to enabling people with physical and create understanding and sensory difficulties to do what respect between the gen- anyone without such difficulties erations and sets up and runs can do in the community. intergenerational groups in Oxfordshire Unlimited want your help to identify schools, bringing younger and older local problems that may affect generations together. Over the last decade, disabled people such as shops and the number of groups has extended to businesses with difficult access. cover the wider Oxfordshire area. Unlimited is a user-led organisation Each group comprises a small number supported by Oxfordshire County of older people and children and meets Council and Oxford City Council. once a week in primary and secondary The group campaign to resolve schools to share a range of activities and issues regarding highways, transport, lunch. The groups are great fun and help public amenities and other aspects bring communities together. To find out of community life. Would you like to more visit www.fullcircleoxon.org.uk or become a member of Unlimited and call 01865 246456. join us in this work? ■ For more information visit www.oxfordshireunlimited.org or call Gwynneth Pedler on 0845 121 4112. Autism-friendly Your health is film screenings A NATIONAL campaign has been launched by Dimensions to improve cinema access for people with autism and people their concern with learning disabilities. Oxford doctors create local services to support you This has proven so successful that a mainstream monthly autism-friendly film screening is now taking place at ODEON IN THE future, your National Health Service cinema, George Street, Oxford. (NHS) will be led by doctors and other health These film screenings are professionals. recommended to anyone that would Your doctor will work in a new team together with benefit from the subtle alterations hospital doctors, nurses and other health made to the cinema auditorium. professionals to create local services to support you. Alterations include keeping the This new team is called the Oxfordshire Clinical lights and volume low, trailers are Commissioning Group (OCCG). omitted and people are encouraged Doctors in Oxford are already working on making to move around the cinema as your local healthcare services better and are they wish. involved in a nationwide project to diagnose ■ Visit www.dimensions-uk.org/ cancer earlier. autismfriendly for more information. Every year in Oxfordshire, around 350 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and around 250 with lung cancer. Run up a hefty Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, yet is highly treatable if diagnosed early. total for charity Blood in your stool, particularly if you are over 40, THE Oxford Mail’s OX5RUN is a can be an early sign of cancer. five-mile fun run around the Make an appointment to see your doctor if you beautiful grounds of Blenheim Doctors have been given a leading role in commissioning health services have had blood in your stool or a change in bowel Palace. habit (especially softer stools or Last year 1,000 people took part increased frequency) for more than and raised over £60,000 for the Now doctors are consulting you three weeks. Oxford Children’s Hospital. Don’t put up with a persistent cough. Next year’s event in the spring DOCTORS are working with local for information about your local Visit your doctor if you have had a celebrates the tenth anniversary of people to find out how to improve National Health Service cough for longer than three weeks, this important local event and health services and promote health. ■ Find out more by contacting the particularly if you have ever been a organisers are hoping that even Contact your local practice to Communications and Engagement regular smoker. more people will take part. find out how to get involved in a team on 01865 334658 or write to Having any of these symptoms does ■ To find out how to get involved Patient Participation Group and have them at, Jubilee House, 5510 John not mean you have cancer, but visiting visit www.orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk your say. Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park your doctor allows them to carry out email [email protected] or call ■ Visit www.oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk South, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2LH. any necessary tests to determine the 01865 743444. cause. Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 18 Winter 2011 Have a say on issues of interest to you at Area Forums AREA Forums are taking place across the city to local partners, community groups or ward councillors Area. These concerns have been raised with First look at local issues that affect you and your area. who have consulted with residents, items of local Great Western and Council officers are liaising with Quarterly meetings are held across the six areas of interest and changes to council services. them regarding potential actions. Oxford: North East, East, South East, Cowley, North Where relevant, proposed actions are identified and ■ North Area residents fed their comments into the and Central, South and West. Area Forums are open investigated by council officers, with progress reported Sites and Housing Consultation to all and are attended by local residents, community back at the following meeting. Recent issues and ■ Producing a leaflet for residents in the Cowley area groups, local organisations, council officers and elected actions from Area Forums include: about how they can tackle nuisance parking in their area. members from the City, County and Parish Councils. ■ Residents raised concerns about noise and light ● Visit www.oxford.gov.uk/areaforums for agendas, The topics discussed can include issues raised by issues from trains in the Central, South and West action sheets and future meeting dates. Fitness fun Don’t miss your for over-50s chance to vote THURSDAY 3 May is election day in Oxford. Make sure you make use of your right to vote and have your say. One of the two seats in each of Oxford City Council’s 24 wards will be contested. We’ve just finished the annual process of updating the electoral roll, AGE UK Oxfordshire has launched however if you move between now and new gentle exercise classes for over election day please contact the 50s at Littlemore Community Centre, elections office to ensure you are Friday, 11.15 to 12.15 and at registered to vote. Donnington Community Centre, Look out for your polling card at the Tuesdays 11.30 to 12.30. end of March or early April. The fun and friendly classes cater ■ For more information contact the for people with differing fitness levels elections office on 01865 252987 or and mobility. After a free trial session email [email protected] each class costs £3. Polling stations will open between ■ For more information contact Karen 7am and 10pm on election day. Cook, class tutor 07803 388039. Planning a visit to city but have mobility concerns? DO YOU know someone who would office, just tell staff when you book and benefit from some mobility help they will bring a scooter to your car. when visiting the city centre? Customers using Shopmobility If so, Shopmobility is a scheme run equipment can park free in the by Oxford City Council offering free Westgate car park for the duration of membership and usage for anyone in their visit to the city. The service is need of a wheelchair or electric scooter open from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday for shopping or sightseeing Oxford. and 9:30am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Shopmobility is located on level one ■ For more information or to book of the Westgate car park, immediately equipment visit next to the car park office. If you’re www.oxford.gov.uk/shopmobility or unable to collect equipment from the call 01865 248737. Help older residents get with IT ARE you an older person local to exciting new initiative, teaching IT Littlemore, Donnington, Northway or skills to older residents living in these Cutteslowe with IT skills you could areas. share with others? ■ To find out more contact Marian Age UK Oxfordshire is looking for Pocock on 07827 235454, or email older volunteers to work with us on an [email protected] Your Oxford Building a world-class city for everyone www.oxford.gov.uk 19 Winter 2011

WARD 1 . Barton & Sandhills WARD 2 . Blackbird Leys WARD 3 . Carfax WARD 4 . Churchill WARD 5 . Cowley Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2014 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Mike Rowley Val Smith Tony Brett Mark Lygo Bryan Keen LABOUR LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LABOUR LABOUR M: 07510 099028 M: 07767 446051 T: 01865 401725 M: 07971 589623 M: 07826 527047 T: 01865 7769 48 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 11 Heath Close Headington OX3 7NJ 4 Flaxfield Road Blackbird Leys Oxford OX4 6QD 6 Reliance Way Oxford OX4 2FU 20 Valentia Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PL 48 Liddell Road Cowley Oxford OX4 3QU Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2012 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Van Coulter Rae Humberstone Stephen Brown Joe McManners Shah Jahan Khan LABOUR LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT . OPPOSITION LABOUR LABOUR M: 07767 496409 T: 01865 779678 LEADER T: 01865 311535 M: 07899 934377 M: 07979 638670 M: 07796 613362 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Ruskin Hall Dunstan Road Oxford OX3 9BZ 75 Little Bury Greater Leys Oxford OX4 7UZ 8 Walton Street Oxford OX1 2HG 1 Woodbine Cottage Headington Oxford OX3 OBT 6 Havelock Road Cowley Oxford OX4 3EP

WARD 6 . Cowley Marsh WARD 7 . Headington WARD 8 . Headington Hill & Northway WARD 9 . Hinksey Park WARD 10 . Holywell Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Mohammed Abbasi David Rundle Mohammed Altaf-Khan Bob Price Mark Mills LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LABOUR . LEADER OF THE COUNCIL LIBERAL DEMOCRAT T: 01865 792250 M: 07889 867931 M: 07980 894147 T: 01865 798777 M: 07931 345554 T: 01865 725218 M: 07525 751584 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 7 Warneford Road Oxford OX4 1LT 39 Catherine Street Oxford OX4 3AH 83 Hugh Allen Crescent Oxford OX3 OHL 43 Western Road Oxford OX1 4LF C/O Members’ Room Town Hall Oxford OX1 1BX Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Sajjad Malik Ruth Wilkinson Roy Darke Oscar Van Nooijen Nathan Pyle LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LABOUR LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT M: 07787 874683 M: 07789 368300 T: 01865 790670 T: 01865 251757 M: 07787 505514 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 24 Emperor Gardens Blackbird Leys Oxford OX4 7WB 21 Thames View Road Oxford OX4 4TQ The Oak Barn, 80 Edgeway Road Oxford OX3 OHG 57 Henley Street Oxford OX4 1ES 106a Walton Street Oxford OX2 6AJ

WARD 11 . Iffley Fields WARD 12 . Jericho and Osney WARD 13 . Littlemore WARD 14 . Lye Valley WARD 15 . Marston Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Elise Benjamin Colin Cook Gill Sanders Ben Lloyd-Shogbesan Mary Clarkson GREEN . LORD MAYOR LABOUR LABOUR LABOUR LABOUR T: 07920 054888 T: 01865 721844 Work: 01865 285770 T: 01865 761856 M: 07974 947628 T: 01865 751493 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 41 Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RB 12 Riverside Road Oxford OX2 OHU 200 Headington Road Headington Oxford OX3 7PS 105 Cornwallis Road Oxford OX4 3NH Lower Farm 8 Dunstan Road Oxford OX3 9BY Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 David Williams Susanna Pressel John Tanner Bob Timbs Beverley Hazell GREEN - GROUP LEADER LABOUR LABOUR LABOUR LABOUR T: 01865 554001 T: 01865 765852 T: 01865 251441 M: 07768 205874 M: 07758 210722 F: 01865 252728 (Council Offices) E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 320 London Road Oxford OX3 8DN 7 Rawlinson Road Oxford OX2 6UE 32 Sunningwell Road Oxford OX1 4SX 88 Normandy Crescent Oxford OX4 2TN 132 Dene Road Headington Oxford OX3 7EG WARD 16 . North WARD 17 . Northfield Brook WARD 18 . Quarry & Risinghurst WARD 19 . Rose Hill & Iffley WARD 20 . St. Clement’s Until May 2014 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Alan Armitage Stuart Craft Laurence Baxter Antonia Bance Graham Jones LIBERAL DEMOCRAT . DEPUTY LORD MAYOR INDEPENDENT WORKING CLASS ASSOCIATION LABOUR LABOUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT M: 07799 892385 M: 07733 274324 M: 07834 183491 T: 01865 775603 M: 07909 875306 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 2 Grimbly Place Oxford OX2 7LT C/O Members’ Room Town Hall Oxford OX1 1BX 20 Marshall Road Oxford OX4 2NR 31b Rectory Road Oxford OX4 1BU 1a Lawrence Road Oxford OX4 3ER Until May 2012 Until May 2014 Until May 2014 Ed Turner Until May 2012 Until May 2012 Clark Brundin Scott Seamons Dee Sinclair LABOUR Nuala Young LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LABOUR LABOUR GREEN T: 01865 778358 T: 01865 510868 M: 07910 595047 T: 01865 765260 M: 07833 441187 T: E: [email protected] 01865 749459 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Flat 38 Maureen Christian House Desborough E: [email protected] 27 Observatory Street Oxford OX2 6EW 2 Orchard Court Rose Hill Oxford OX4 4HJ 10 Norton Close Headington Oxford OX3 7BQ Crescent Oxford OX4 4GW 46 Tree Lane Iffley Oxford OX4 4EY WARD 21 . St. Margaret’s WARD 22 . St. Mary’s Until May 2014 Until May 2012 Our Democratic Structure Matt Morton Jim Campbell ■ Full Council development and improvement. LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GREEN T: 01865 556404 T: 01865 724251 Considers motions proposed by councillors on matters for E: [email protected] E: [email protected] which the Council is responsible for and that directly affect ■ Licensing 24 Frenchay Road Oxford OX2 6TG 9 Hawkins Street, Oxford OX4 1YD people in Oxford. Hears public addresses and public Responsible for maintaining and reviewing policies on taxi, Until May 2012 Until May 2014 questions. Holds debates on certain petitions. Visit private hire and other vehicle licensing as well as late-night Gwynneth Royce Dick Wolff www.oxford.gov.uk/councilmeetings to view the recorded premises, off licenses, pubs and miscellaneous other LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GREEN meetings. licensing and registration matters. Subcommittees make M: 07801 121860 T: 07968 486854 ■ City Executive Board individual licensing decisions working as small panels. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Responsible for setting and implementing strategic policies Members’ Room Town Hall Oxford OX1 1BX 69 Victoria Road Oxford OX2 7QG For more details of other committees, meeting dates, agendas and spending the Council’s budget. Each of its 10 members and minutes visit www.oxford.gov.uk/councilmeetings WARD 23 . Summertown WARD 24 . Wolvercote has a specific area of political responsibility and approval Until May 2014 Until May 2014 to make non-strategic decisions. Political composition of Oxford City Jean Fooks John Goddard ■ Planning Committees Council 2010–2012 LIBERAL DEMOCRAT - SHERIFF LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Responsible for decisions on planning applications. Either T: 01865 310351 F: 01865 513129 T: 01865 438961 LABOUR 26 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] committee’s decisions may be called in by a minimum of 9 St. Bernard’s Road Oxford OX2 6EH 10 Blandford Avenue Oxford OX2 8DY 12 councillors to the Planning Review Committee within LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 16 Until May 2012 Until May 2012 two working days. GREEN 5 Stuart McCready Mike Gotch ■ Scrutiny Committees INDEPENDENT WORKING CLASS ASSOCIATION 1 LIBERAL DEMOCRAT LIBERAL DEMOCRAT Oversee and review the work of the Council and its T: 01865 553963 M: 07804 652733 T: 01865 553905 partners, focusing on issues of community engagement TOTAL NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS 48 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] and leadership, partnerships, value for money and 23 Southdale Road Oxford OX2 7SE 1 First Turn Oxford OX2 8AG performance along with environmental and economic All details correct at time of going to press

■ Contacting a Councillor: Should you experience difficulty contacting any Councillor please inform a Democratic Services Officer, [email protected] Tel: 01865 252214, Oxford Town Hall, OX1 1BX Christmas at Oxford Castle Christmas Light Night at Oxford Castle 5pm-late, 2nd December Late Night at O3 Gallery and Oxford Castle - Unlocked until 10pm, 2nd December Oxford Christmas Market 2nd-18th December Father Christmas 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th, 17th & 18th December Mummers, Michaelmas & The Empress Matilda Theatre 3rd-18th December Christmas Craft Workshops O3 Gallery, 9.30-11.30am, 5th-9th & 12th-16th December Letters to Father Christmas Café 1071, 2nd-18th December Flora McLachlan O3 Gallery, 26th November-8th January

www.oxfordcastle.com …the perfect place for your Christmas Party!

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EAT - DRINK - ENJOY WWW.OXFORDCASTLE.COM - OXFORD CASTLE, NEW ROAD, OXFORD, OX1 1AY pull-out guide YOUR Friday 2 December is...

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Photo: Greg Smolonski, Photovibe ■ Come and celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season on Friday 2 December with an exciting evening of processions, lights, dance, art, live music and performance in Oxford Parading the Spectacular stage line-up THIS year our stage, in St Giles for ❆ 5pm – Dancin’ Oxford Showcase the first time, will showcase per- Plus . . . lanterns ❆ 6.25pm – Light Switch-On plus 12 Days of formances from local and national VISIT the stalls selling dancers and musicians. Christmas sing along hot food and drinks, Presenters from BBC Radio Oxford ❆ 6.45pm – Out of the Blue will keep you entertained between the Christmas gifts and 6pm from the Old Fire Station in performances, as well as leading the ❆ 7.30pm – Dancin’ Oxford Showcase the special children’s Gloucester Green countdown for the light switch on. area with rides and ❆ 8.30pm – CLC Gospel Choir KICKING off the Christmas cele- The exciting stage line-up programme present-making brations is the spectacular lantern kicks off at 5pm. ❆ 9.15pm – 9 Ton Peanut Smugglers workshops. procession – supported by MINI Plant Oxford. Over 400 young people from over a dozen Oxfordshire schools and Help create a sound sculpture CHRISTMAS Light Night in community groups will parade their Oxford is coordinated by Oxford 8.15pm – 9pm his free sound sculpture of shimmering lanterns made from willow and Inspires, Oxford City Council bells, chimes and grand chorales and tissue paper through the streets of OXFORD Contemporary Music and Ian Nolan Events Ltd on Oxford. Each of the lanterns will (OCM) invites you to bring your bring along your portable stereo to behalf of communities and cul- represent one of the 12 days of portable stereos to join Oxford’s join the promenade. This community tural organisations across the Christmas and have been created second Unsilent Night promenade. sound promenade made its debut in city. Key partners are Ark T, with the help of local artists – Cool This is composer Phil Kline’s free New York in 1992 and is annually Oxford Contemporary Music and ‘n’ Groovy at the Ark T Centre. outdoor participatory sound sculpture performed in cities around the world. Oxford Castle. The procession will wind its way recorded on cassettes, CDs, and To take part contact OCM for a copy For more information visit through the streets of Oxford, with mp3s and played through a roving of the music via their website: www.oxfordinspires.org or www. Queen Street, Cornmarket and St swarm of audio devices brought www.ocmevents.org, call 01865 oxford.gov.uk/christmaslightnight Giles offering great viewing spots. along by you. You need to download 488369 or email [email protected] Images: Greg Smolonski, Photovibe ■ Enjoy a night of fun for all the family. Highlights of the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street evening include our lantern parade, light switch-on and per- 10 Show starts at 7pm formance stage (details on the cover) Public toilets Tickets: £12 - £22.50 (no booking fee) DAME Mother Goose is back. Packed with heroes and villains, booing and Public toilets are available in various ■ Check out the listings below for a snapshot of some of the cheering and plenty of panto mischief, not to mention one very magical locations including Gloucester Green, goose – you won’t want to miss the only pantomime in Oxford with true other great attractions taking place – helping make Christmas Market Street, Westgate multi-storey Light Night one of the city’s favourite events eggs-factor this festive season. car park and the Town Hall. www.oxfordplayhouse.com Businesses that are signed up to our Community Toilet Scheme may Lantern Parade be open during the Christmas Light Catweazle at the Old Fire Station 1 This magical procession featuring lanterns created by local school 9 Night event. Visit 11 Doors open 8pm – show starts 8.30pm children leaves from the Old Fire Station at Gloucester Green at 6pm. It www.oxford.gov.uk/communitytoilets £7/£5 on the door will then weave its magical way through New Inn Hall Street, Queen Street, for more information. VISIT the newly refurbished Old Fire Station to experience Oxford’s legendary Cornmarket Street, St Giles, Pusey Street and then St John's Street before Catweazle Club in this special one-off session showcasing local musicians, returning to the Old Fire Station. Best viewing points are Queen Street, Lost children song writers, poets and performance artists. A night of magic and wonder. Cornmarket Street and St Giles. If you have any concerns or lose a www.oldfirestation.org.uk www.oxfordinspires.org member of your party on Christmas Pusey Street Light Night please speak to a member Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, Radcliffe Square of the security team on duty. An St Michael at the North Gate Church 2 8.15pm – 9pm (meet 8pm at Radcliffe Square) information and First Aid point will be 12 5pm – 10pm OXFORD Contemporary Music (OCM) invites you to bring your portable available in St Giles, on the corner of THE Saxon Tower, Oxford’s oldest building, will be open all evening for stereos to join Oxford’s second Unsilent Night promenade. To take part, Pusey Street. a great view of the festivities, and the Church will be open for quiet reflection contact OCM for a copy of the music: email [email protected] or call 7 in candlelit spaces. The Church is open every day so you can come back! 01865 488369 www.smng.org.uk www.ocmevents.org 10 3 Gloucester 8 FilmOxford’s Big Screen on Gloucester Green Green 17 13 The Bodleian Library, Broad Street 3 From 6pm 13 6.30pm – 8pm SCREENING some of the latest films by young people from all over the EXPLORE the Divinity School, built in 1488 for the teaching of theology. county. In partnership with Gregory the Great Catholic School in Oxford, St 12 Take a look in the 17th century Convocation House and Court, where Ebbe’s Primary School Oxford, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College and 1 & 11 Parliament was held in the Civil War. Enjoy great entertainment and visit the Abingdon and Witney College. Bodleian Library Shop. www.ofvm.org www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk 2

Oxford Castle, Castle Street 5 6 Modern Art Oxford, Pembroke Street 4 10am – 10pm 4 14 10am – 10pm (galleries until 7pm) SEE Oxford Castle lit up with lanterns inspired by the Twelve Days of 14 15 THE Shop, Café & Bar will all be open until 10pm. The newly designed Christmas and enjoy a range of activities through the day till late. Including the 16 shop is offering 15% off unique gifts from artists’ limited editions and a free popular Christmas Market with over 50 stalls from across Europe, characters glass of wine and mince pie in the Café & Bar with every purchase. from Creation Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and a Christmas exhibition by Flora www.modernartoxford.org.uk McLachlan’s at the O3 Gallery and Oxford Castle’s Unlocked visitor attraction. www.oxfordcastle.com This year’s Christmas tree Town Hall & Museum of Oxford: Christmas Past & Present, in Broad Street The Story Museum, Pembroke Street 5 St Aldate’s is sponsored by 15 6pm – 7.30pm 5pm – 8pm The Tree Barn, Watlington VISIT between 6pm and 7.30pm to gather around the Christmas tree in JOIN the Town Hall and Museum of Oxford for a fantastic celebration of www.thetreebarn.co.uk their courtyard for singing and tales from storyteller Katy Cawkwell. Stories Christmas. Visit Santa in his grotto, discover past Christmas traditions, try and Jewson, Botley Road, include the Woman who Married the Moon and The Man who Followed a family arts and crafts or visit the Green Fair and the Gift Shop for unique Star. Christmas gifts. Oxford www.storymuseum.org.uk www.oxford.gov.uk/museum www.jewson.co.uk

OVADA at the Town Hall, St Aldate’s St Ebbe’s Church Advent Carol Service 6 5pm – 9pm 16 7pm EXPLORE the Town Hall to discover diverse artworks that show the ALL are welcome to come and sing traditional carols at St Ebbe’s building’s heritage in a new light. OVADA will be showcasing contemporary Lantern Church. Doors open at 6pm and the service starts at 7pm and finishes at work from selected regional artists at the Town Hall for the second year procession 7.45pm. running. The digital video by Fern Thomas that OVADA commissioned for www.stebbes.org.uk last year’s Light Night received the prestigious Mostyn Open 2011 Prize. www.ovada.org.uk

The Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street Museum of the History of Science: The Number Twelve, Pitt Rivers Museum, South Parks Road Oxford Hub, Turl Street 7 6pm – 10pm 8 Broad Street 9 7pm – 10pm 17 From 7.30pm VIEW the brand new galleries for Egypt and Sudan with special 7pm – 10pm COME and immerse yourself in the magical Pitt Rivers by torchlight. Help JOIN the staff at Turl Street Kitchen for a candlelit carol concert to curator-led tours as well as enjoy an evening of music, dance and family fun. CHRISTMAS may have 12 days, but discover how the number 12 is important in kick-start the Christmas season listening to live music. Entry is by the South Door in celebrate Christmas Light nIght. The staff choir and special guests will Performance from Oxford Gospel Choir and activities for young people in the many other ways, from signs of the zodiac and months in the year to hurricanes, Robinson Close, South Parks Road. entertain diners of a special Christmas Light Night menu, with festive tunes Education Studio. inches and old pennies. Dozens of things to learn and enjoy, with puzzles, talks, www.prm.ox.ac.uk from 7.30pm. www.ashmolean.org trails and film. Visit www.turlstreetkitchen.co.uk to book your table www.mhs.ox.ac.uk Xmas shopping All aboard for a event in Oxford THERE will be changes to bus services on Friday 2 December for Christmas Light Night. The changes will be similar to arrangements for St Giles’ Fair. For full details contact: SantaSantastic ■ Oxford Bus Company website: www.oxfordbus.co.uk, follow them on Facebook: PEPPA PIG will be appearing at www.facebook.com/oxfordbuscompany various locations in the city centre phone: 01865 785400 entertaining young children and launching Oxford’s festive season ■ Stagecoach night out! from early afternoon on Thursday website: www.stagecoachbus.com 24 November. phone: 01865 772250 Local shops and businesses will Services that usually drop off on be celebrating with a special late Magdalen Street East will now drop off night opening and special activities. on the south side of Broad Street prior Other events and promotions are to Turl Street. planned nearer Christmas with a Buses that depart from Magdalen special Golden Egg competition Street West will pick up on the north running over two weeks. side of Broad Street outside Trinity The Oxford Bus Company is College. offering free travel for children on Special thanks to Stagecoach, City and Park and Ride services who are providing free travel for a after 5pm on 24 November number of the procession (accompanied by a fare-paying or ticket-holding adult – up to three participants. children per adult) for journeys in Oxford Bus Company is offering and out of Oxford city centre. free travel for children on City and Park and Ride services after 5pm FREE car parking (accompanied by a fare-paying or ticket-holding adult – up to three CAR parking at the Westgate children per adult) for journeys in and multi-storey car park, is free from out of Oxford city centre. 5.30pm on 24 November and also for Christmas Light Night on 2 December.

Oxford Christmas Market 2 - 18 December 2011 Oxford Castle, New Road Thursday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, Sunday – Wednesday 10am – 6pm Win a fab festive treat Come along and choose from a Children’s OXFORD Christmas Market, taking of 2 adults and 2 children. variety of Christmas gifts, enjoy FREE place at The Oxford Castle from The performance of Mother Goose activities 2-18 December, has teamed up with is on Saturday 17 December at 6pm Christmas carols and indulge in include letters The Oxford Playhouse and First and the rail tickets must be used warming food and drinks. to Father Great Western Trains to offer a before the end of January 2012. Christmas and fantastic festive prize for Your To enter this fantastic prize draw, FREE entry. Christmas Oxford readers. send your name and contact details ‘Head through the Spend a day strolling around Oxford on a postcard to: Christmas Market enjoying Christmas Hole’ Trail (with a Mother Goose Competition carols and tasty treats. prize for every child) – Oxford Town Hall You'll then enjoy a performance of plus the Christmas Carousel St Aldate's this year's pantomime, Mother Goose returns (just £1 per ride). Oxford OX1 1BX at The Oxford Playhouse. We'll also throw in a family rail ticket Or hand it into the reception desk at to London Paddington with First Great Oxford Town Hall by 5pm on Friday 2 www.oxfordchristmasmarket.co.uk Western Trains so you can hit the December. The winner will be notified New Year sales in style. on Monday 5 December. Travel to Oxford by train. Y TRA O B IN

A brilliant prize? Oh yes it is!! s Tickets for Mother Goose can be G T

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E R D P U T C O E O purchased by calling 01865 305305. Y F This amazing prize is for a maximum N O UR CARBO