No 50, June 2002 Published by the Jericho Community Association – www.jerichocentre.org.uk Festive summer in Jericho Major events will make for a lively For the 1977 Sil- summer, first the Golden Jubilee ver Jubilee we Street Party and then the annual had tables along Jericho Street Fair. the length of Car- digan Street. All he Jubilee party will be held on June the funds were 3 from 3.00 p.m in Hart Street and raised by the Ton the School field. Lots of events community. Since are planned. There will be a children’s tea the new school and adults can bring food to picnic on the had not been school field. The children will also have completed, the races and a talent contest. Adults too will children’s races have a fancy dress competition with a cham- were held on the pagne prize donated by the Globe. If you lawn that has fancy yourself as Elvis, or anyone else, since become the please call Carolyn Dutton on 552042. Church car park. Older residents will remember the Jeri- Mail Photo: Oxford cho Silver Jubilee Party in 1977 which at- This was also the first appearance of Nearer the day you’ll be able to see the most tracted over 300 people. Wendy Matthews Jericho’s entertainment group, the Jericho up-to-date information about the Street Fair of Walton Street who has taken the initia- Rejects, still going strong, who will have on our website at www.jerichocentre.org.uk. tive for this year’s party, has fond memo- their own party later in the month. Other events include the the Canal Festival ries of the last event. The following week, on Saturday June on June 23 and the school fête on June 29. “That party took in all the children and 15, from 10.00 a.m. we will then have the Some people have lived in Jericho all grandchildren of people living in Jericho. It annual Jericho Street Fair in Canal Street. their lives, others just a few months, but was the biggest party in Oxford and front- This promises to be bigger and better than these events offer an opportunity for every- page news in the Oxford Mail. We had a ever. As well as all the usual stalls, there one to get together. If you haven’t yet been Scots Piper to start the festivities and Wynn will be children’s entertainment, Morris able to join in community activities, now’s Bonney was the Queen for the day. Music dancing, lots of good food, and a special your chance. We really need more people was provided by a jazz band who only knew draw with prizes generously donated by lo- to help with the Jubilee party and with man- seven songs but still managed to play all cal businesses—along with street entertain- ning community stalls at the Street Fair— night. It took just five weeks to organize. ers, fairground attractions, and canalboat even the promise of an hour or two would Entertainment included the Vicar of St. rides. Again this year the Street Fair co- be a big help. If you could give a hand with Barnabas, Father Hunt, with his magic act.” incides with a weekend Beer Festival at the either please call Sue Pead on 557902. Old Bookbinders Arms in Canal Street which will offer live music through the day and well into the evening including THE such local bands as Veda Park and The Gs. Ali’s GLOBE Canalboat rides during the 2001 Street Fair Jericho Good Food Store Pool Table, Real Ale Groceries – Off-licence Thursday Quiz Night Newspaper deliveries Pleasant Atmosphere Open 6.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Cranham Street, Jericho Monday to Friday Tel: 557759 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m on Sunday Photo: Jeremy Wynne Photo: Jeremy June 2002 – Jericho Echo – 1 Thanks Kelly Canalside awaits developments

ellway Homes have yet to put in a of light along the canal corridor is that one planning application for the British of the key pieces of vacant land, fronting BWaterways-owned land behind the onto the canal in Jericho and surrounding Church. Preliminary indications, however, the striking and historic St Barnabas were worrying. Their development seemed Church, is actually owned by British Wa- to be reverting to the high-density housing terways. Here at least there still exists the familar elsewhere. True, they envisaged a opportunity to make an imaginative leap restaurant and a small square. But this and have a more comprehensive view of Janet and Tony Tratt with Kelly (right) seemed much less imaginative than earlier what constitutes value for a canalside com- Kelly Ahmed, who worked at the Walton visions for the site. And since the square munity—financial, cultural, and social. Street Post Office for 16 years, has now would be enclosed by the canal, the back of Here surely we would have the chance to left for a new job with the Alliance and the church and two blocks of housing, and pass on something remarkable to future Leicester in George Street. Kelly was unconnected with the new bridge, it was generations.” brought up in Jericho and started work in unlikely to offer a lively public space. The letter went on to ask for British Wa- the shop shortly after leaving school. She A more specific worry for the new Com- terways to reiterate their commitment to the then moved to the Post Office counter where munity Centre to be built on the site was site. They replied in very positive terms and she quickly picked up all those skills. Kelly’s that Bellway had not received from British on May 16 we had a very constructive meet- sunny personality and ready smile made buying stamps or collecting the pension one Waterways the brief that outlined the re- ing with them to discuss the alternatives. of the brightest parts of the day. But Kelly quirements for a viable Community Centre. They say they have an obligation to get felt she had to move on to develop her As a result, they allocated too small an ‘best value’ for the site but this does not career. Janet and Tony Tratt say: “We were area—and one that was some distance from necessarily mean the highest price. Repre- very upset to lose her, but if she had been the square and cut off from the canal. sentatives of the Association have also been our daughter we’d have encouraged her Expressing its concerns, the Community talking with Bellway, as well as with the to do the same thing.” Association wrote to the Chair of British City Council. The Council will have a key A warm welcome now to Bill Fearon. Waterways. “Over the past ten years, the role to play, both through the planning Bill has joined us from the St Aldates Post whole length of the canal in Oxford has process and by contributing adjacent land Office so should also be able to handle all been subject to dense infill development. to allow construction of the Centre. The those complicated queries. No shops, no entertainment, no community next stage should bring more of the parties or boating facilities, just block after block together around the table to see how to Community Centre AGM of unimaginative houses. The only glimpse make the best of a great opportunity. The Annual General Meeting of the Jericho Community Association was held on April Orthodox Church gave her a good send off. 8 and enjoyed videos from Jericho’s past. In Memoriam She would have been delighted with the sing- One, from the Peedell family, was of home ing. We shall all miss her. cine from the 1950s. The other, from Jim Geoffrey New—Geoffrey, who died aged Wright, was of the silver Jubilee party, — George Driver—George, who lived in full of familiar faces, and flared pants. Great Clarendon Street, died in January 69, lived in School Court. After the War, The meeting elected a new committee. aged 74, in the arms of his wife Anne after Geoffrey joined the army and saw service The members are: Chair, George Taylor, a long illness. George grew up in South in the UK. One of the most remarkable Gt. Clarendon Street; Vice-Chair, Charlotte Africa, then during the Second World War things about him was his achievement in Christie, Canal Street; Treasurer, Bill he was with the British Army in North Af- bringing up five children on his own for Wilson, Cardigan Street; Secretary, Teresa rica. After the war he came to Oxford and much of their lives. He devised many healthy Stuart, St. Barnabas Street. Committee worked at Pressed Steel for 39 years. He pleasures for them, not least long cycling members: Jenny Ashby, Wellington Street; and Anne started a family here and saw the trips. Our condolences to his family. Janet Davis, Albert Street; Clement Shaw, old Jericho change around them as the chil- Mabel Webster—A loved matriarch of her Castle Mill House; and Peter Stalker, dren grew up. The Drivers’ house has al- large family and a true friend to many, Cranham Street. The Honorary President Mabel died on April 9 aged 89. She lived is Jeanne Needle, Canal Street. ways been a friendly place to visit. One of the families that make Jericho special. with her husband Jack in Juxon Street for Tatiania Eglevsky—‘Tania’ died on De- 38 years before moving to Grantham House cember 31, aged 86 years. She was a much 15 years ago. Their home exuded love, loved and well-known figure in Walton laughter and hospitality. Mabel was artistic and a superb dressmaker. She was a mem- If you were asked by a friend to recommend Crescent, who was very generous to her ber of the Co-op Guild and with fellow com- someone who had done good, conscientious friends. Born in Russia, she left, aged three, mittee members put on hilarious shows to work for you, who would you suggest? with her mother and brother as a refugee great applause. She was brave in the face of Please let us know. Tel: 552794 or and grew up in France. The family moved tragedy, especially in her last battle with can- [email protected]. Here are a few to get to London where Tania once made corsets cer. At her funeral service, a packed chapel the list started: Carpenter: Tony Everett, for the Queen. After they moved to Oxford, heard two of her grandchildren read out her (07778) 907834. Plumber: M. Daniels, Tania worked in the Bodleian Library. Tania reflections on her life and then sang her 557086. TV, Video and Hi-Fi Repairs: had many interesting tales. She loved the favourite hymns. A fitting finale for a Oxford Powershop: 375834. Washing university life and would go to the boat wonderful lady. machine repairs: AES Repairs, 766392. races and the post-exam celebrations.The 2 – Jericho Echo – June 2002 Thomas Hardy in Jericho Clement Shaw on Jericho’s articled to the architect and church restorer Sue’s in charge John Hicks in Dorchester at 16. In the pe- Sue Pead has now role in Jude the Obscure riod 1862-67 Hardy was assistant architect taken over as When Hardy’s fic- to Arthur Blomfield who was commissioned Administrator of the tional Jude arrives in by Thomas Combe to design the church of Community Centre. ‘Christminster’ he St Barnabas. Sue has never strayed lodges “on inexpen- Thomas and Martha Combe were devo- far from Jericho. She sive terms in the mod- tees and patrons of the Pre-Raphaelite was born in the est type of accommo- Brotherhood and members of the Tractarian Radcliffe Infirmary and dation he demanded; Movement. They gave Blomfield a free has lived here all her and after inquiry took hand “that it should be large enough for a life. She worked at Midland Building Thomas Hardy a room in a suburb thousand worshippers, sound in construc- Supplies in Aristotle Lane, and then at Lucys. She is also a key member of the Jericho nicknamed Beersheba”. Christminster was tion and the interior dignified. Nothing was Rejects. Sue is in the office weekdays from to be wasted on external appearances”. The Oxford and it’s not unfanciful to speculate 10.00 am till 12.00 noon. Tel: 557902. that the suburb was Jericho, and that our church, which was to be Romanesque in very own Jude the Obscure hostelry in style after the cathedral of Torcello near Caught in time Walton Street is not a stone’s throw from Venice, was completed in 1869. The £750,000 school reconstruction his modest room. Jude the Obscure was published thirty should be ready for the next school year. Thomas Hardy’s masterpiece is the story years later when Hardy was 58. The novel The children have lodged a ‘time capsule’ of a young man of working-class origin, makes many references to the Tractarians in a hollow pillar in the new building. This born in an obscure country town, who ac- and the influences they had on Jude. What, includes a millennium photo and examples quires a passion for art, culture and schol- we may wonder, were the influences on of the children’s work. arship. Largely through growing up close Hardy so many years before, working in 100th birthday party to Oxford—yet at a sufficient distance from Jericho on such a remarkable building with it—he is thrilled and inspired by the archi- such remarkable men? Who was the fussy, tecture of its colleges and churches and is snobbish parson who tells Jude to go back exalted beyond reason by a pathetically ide- to his work as a builder’s labourer and not alised conception of Oxford as a place for bother with matters ‘beyond him’? Whoever all that is finest in culture and scholarship. it was, Jericho and St Barnabas surely in- Jude’s struggles to reach his goal, entry spired one of the great passionate English into the University and a scholar’s life, are novels. Even today the book is an indignant the main theme of the novel. Its tragedy is plea for making available to plain men, the cruel, embittering failure of all his ef- women and children (especially children) Father Michael’s mother, Nesta Wright, forts, and the bleak unredeemed wretched- all the sources of joy and enrichment of life celebrated her 100th birthday in Decem- ness of his lonely and all-too-obscure end. which cannot be “weighed and measured” ber with a party at the school Though Hardy denied it, Jude surely is by accountants in a ledger. Bungee benches a uniquely personal work. We know he was Clement Shaw, Castle Mill House Congratulations to George Neate and Joss Peto of the Lunch Club who took Do you remember Ellen Perks? Lost in the wash part in a sponsored bungee jump at the ice rink on May 11 and raised Raymond Saunders, who lives in With the closure of the Safari launderette in £290 to pay for extra tables and Hampshire, has asked for information about Walton Street, we have lost another valu- benches for the playground in Hart his birth mother. “On her birth certificate able local service. The now-closed chicken Street. Thanks also to Dave Boston dated April 24 1933 she was named barbeque establishment seems likely to be- of the British Elastic Rope Sports Margaret Jones, and her mother was come another up-market restaurant or bar, Association which has its Dorothy Martha Jones. Dorothy married while the launderette premises are being headquarters in the Community Centre. Arthur Jesse Perks and Margaret became known as Ellen Perks. The family lived firstly converted to an estate agency. The nearest at 6 Albert Street and then at 15 Albert launderette for those without a washing Street. “I have traced Ellen to Scotland machine at home is now in Summertown. The Old where she died on November 26 1996 Most of the adjacent shop premises are leaving four children. owned by St John’s and are increasing stead- Bookbinders “I would like to get in contact with any- ily in value. It is good to see investment in one that knew her at school, in her late what is now being called the ‘golden mile’, teens or early twenties before she left Ox- and that these are not the noisier bars that Ale House ford. She was not heard from by her large now line George Street. But there are also family who she left behind or by me who downsides. Existing businesses will prob- she left in a Mother and Baby home in St For atmosphere, fun, food ably see an increase in rents, and we are Aldates. Phone: 01980 84228. Email: and fine ales [email protected]. likely to lose some of the more modest and more useful establishments, as richer com- Our thanks again to Oxford University Press panies make offers that current leasehold- Canal Street, Jericho for printing this issue of the Jericho Echo. ers find difficult to refuse. June 2002 – Jericho Echo – 3 Jericho Notice Board Capstone Archway Parents and toddlers group – Tuesdays Tuesdays, 7.00 p.m–9.00 p.m. Office supplies in term time, 9.00 a.m.–11.30 a.m. at the Jericho Family Lunches – Every Thurs- Fax-Photocopiers-Cordless Phones Community Centre. Parents and carers of day, 11.45 a.m.–3 p.m at the Community Answerphones-Computer Accessories many nationalities have passed through our Centre. Good value refreshments. Crèche, • Friendly helpful service doors—Chinese, Japanese, Finnish, French 50p. All ages welcome. • No minimum order and many more. A chance to chat while the Youth Club – Ages 13–18 at the Commu- • Very competitive prices children play—and to learn some new ways. nity Centre, Thursdays 7.00 p.m.-9.00 p.m. Contact Denise Townsend, 559648. For further information, call 554001. Telephone: Bill Wilson on 558557 Jericho Community Playscheme 2002 – Albert Street Chapel Sunday School – Email: [email protected] Monday August 5 to Friday August 30, 9.00 Every Sunday 3.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m. for ages 106 Cardigan Street, Jericho, Oxford OX2 6BW a.m.–3.00 p.m. For children aged 5 to 12 3 to 14 years. Various treats throughout the years. £30 per week, concessions available. year. For more information or transport, Registration, Monday June 24 at St. phone David or Jenny on 245939. Barnabas School at 4.30 p.m. For more Jericho Playgroup – Two- to four-year- THOMAS details, contact Andrea on 434361. olds. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–11.30 a.m. Jericho Over-60s Group – We would like in the Community Centre. Places available. MERRIFIELD to extend a warm welcome to new mem- Call mornings 552001, evenings 311875. bers. We meet on Wednesday evenings at Piano and Jazz Piano Lessons – All the property 6.30 p.m for tea, bingo, and a get-together Experienced, friendly and qualified teacher at Grantham House, Cranham Street, and at who lives in Jericho. Associated Board expertise you will 2.00 p.m. on Fridays for talks, quizzes, and piano and theory. Beginners and adults ever need is ... on conversation. Afternoon trips to towns, mar- welcome. Call Richard Dutton on 552024. kets and Women’s Institutes during the sea- Contacting Councillors – Jericho and your doorstep. son, and once yearly a day at the seaside. Osney Ward Councillors’ surgeries at the Annual subscription is £3. More informa- Community Centre. First Saturday of the Holyfield House tion from John Radford, Chair at 558883. month, 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Or call 1 Walton Well Road. Tel: 51500 Jericho Community Association – Meets City Councillors: Colin Cook, 272548, or on the second Monday of the month at the Susanna Pressel, 554001; County Council- Community Centre at 7.30 p.m. Everyone lor: John Power, 247153. in Jericho is welcome. Police contact numbers – Jericho’s Com- Babysitting – Mature student available for munity Beat Officer is PC Granville Walton babysitting. I have experience in nannying Williams though he is temporarily seconded and childcare. Jericho area. Please phone elsewhere and being replaced by PC Nick Stationers Gemma on 510495 or 0789 9093552. Walters. The contact number is 0845 Community Centre Café – Open every 552633. General Enquiries and Neighbour- Post Office Saturday, 10.00 a.m.–3.30 p.m. Coffee, tea, hood Watch, 266000. Stationery cakes and full English breakfast. Jericho on the Web – The Jericho Echo is Greetings cards Jericho Youth Group – A weekly club at at www.pstalker.com/echo. The Community National Lottery the Community Centre for 8–12 year-olds. Centre site is at www.jerichocentre.org.uk. Tobacco Soft drinks Classes at the Community Centre also some all-day sessions. Lunchtime snacks OXACTS – Drama school for children. Sat. Open Monday to Saturday Arts and Crafts – For beginners or expe- 3.00 p.m.–6.00 p.m. Contact, Amanda rienced artists. Fri. 1.30. p.m.–3.00 p.m. Dickie, 792965. Contact Fiona Ferguson, NAWOCEC, tel. Wing Chun, Martial Arts – Mon. 6 p.m- 511757. 9.30 p.m. Contact Ed Yuen, tel. 862518. Egyptian Dance – Wed. 6.15 p.m-9.00 Tai Chi – Tue. 12.00 a.m.–1.30 p.m. Mixed p.m. Contact, Katrina Robinson, tel. class. Everyone welcome. Contact Emma 777462. Westlake tel. (0771) 0768810. Guitar. For beginner and novice levels. Yoga (Ashtanga) – Wed. 9.15 a.m.–11.30 Mon. 7.30 p.m.–9.00 p.m. Enquiries, James a.m. and Thurs. 6.30 p.m.–8.30. p.m. Con- Baldwin, tel. 558534. tact Mariella Di Martini, tel. 245893. Life Drawing – Sat. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Con- Yoga (Iyengar) – Sun. 11.00 a.m.–12 noon. tact, Chris Nirrenski, tel. 559004. There are Contact: Joe Burn, tel. 715147. Oxford’s sharpest The Jericho Echo is published three or four times each year by the Jericho Community Associa- men’s haircut tion, Jericho Community Centre, Canal Street, Oxford. Editor: Peter Stalker, 51 Cranham St., 101A Walton Street tel. 552794 or [email protected]. Please call if you can help with delivery. This edition has Tel: 558570 been printed courtesy of Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, from artwork supplied by the editor. Previous issues are also available on-line at www.pstalker.com/echo. www.edgebarber.com

4 – Jericho Echo – June 2002