The 2009 Oxford Literary festival is held at Christ Church College, Oxford between Sunday 29th March and Sunday 5th April.

Some of the highlights from the literary festival include

David Starkey on Henry: Virtuous Prince – Historian David Starkey takes the controversial view that the young Henry was a virtuous King and his descent into tyrany only began with Cardinal Wolsey’s rise to fame. – At Sheldonian Theatre Sun 4pm

Vince Cable MP – on the World Economic crisis and what it means – Town Hall Sun 7pm

Orwell vs Dickens – Who was the greatest writer. Chaired by Francine Stock Mon – 4pm Garden Marguee, Christ Church.

Creative Writing Programme at Corpus Christ, Jesus, and Pembroke college

Raymond Blanc – interviewed by Sue Wilkins – Tues Christ Church 7.30pm. Award winning chef gives insights on life and career.

Michael Collins – Secrets of the Vatican

Jeremy Paxman and Phillip Pullman at Sheldonian

Oxford Literary festival

There are too many buses in Oxford. The High Street in Oxford is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe, if not the world. The architectural delight from Magdalen College, All Souls, University Church of St Mary’s and the Examination school. But, the most dominating thing these days is buses.

It’s a shame that there was bus deregulation because there is often duplication between the two main bus companies – Stagecoach and Oxford Bus Company.

Hopefully with the aid of Transform Oxford we will see a reduction in the number of buses in Oxford.
People should walk more or get a bike.

The Oxford comma is a comma placed before a conjunction such as ‘and’ within a list.

I would like to visit the following Oxford colleges – Lady Margaret Hall, Trinity, New College, and Magdalen College.

The Oxford comma is so called because this grammar tradition was used by the Oxford University Press.

The Oxford Comma can be useful for clarity, especially in the following example.

The colours of the shields of the above Oxford colleges are: Blue and yellow, green, red and white, and Purple.

The Oxford Comma is sometimes known as the Harvard comma

Main Quad at New College

New College was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham. It is one of the 30+ independent Oxford colleges which make up Oxford University. It is built in the heart of Oxford and is bordered by Magdalen College, All Souls College, Hertford College and St Edmund Hall.

Magnolia coming into bloom in early March.

The ancient city wall provides a border to the impressive gardens which are open to the public at certain times.

The college has been expanded over the years including student accomodation which now occupies the initial place for building Morris Cars.

» Continue reading “New College Photos + Opening Times”

Apple Blossom on Oxford High Street by University Church

Close up shot of apple blossom

Apple Blossom at Lady Margaret Hall gardens

Apple Blossom on the High

University church and apple blossom

Taking exams in Sub Fusc.

Students take their final examinations wearing sub-fusc. This primarily involves a black gown, white shirt and black trousers. Students have to carry a mortar board (hard hat) but they are not allowed to wear it until successfully graduating. University exams

Carnations.

A white carnation is worn for first exam. A red carnation for last exam and a pink carnation for an exam in the middle.

Jumping off Magdalen Bridge on May morning.

A long tradition is for students to jump off Magdalen Bridge on May morning. However, the river is quite shallow and after a series of accidents with broken legs, the bridge has been closed off to prevent students jumping in.

May Morning Singing from Magdalen Tower.

On May morning May 1st, it is traditional for the Magdalen college choir to sing from the top of Magdalen Bridge to welcome the first dawn of summer. This usually occurs at around 5am.

Boat Race.

One of the oldest long running sporting fixtures. The boat race began in 1845 and has been held annually with exception of war interruptions.

Oxford Tutorial.

The oxford tutorial survives despite budget constraints. The basis of the Oxford tutorial is a one or two students to one tutor. A student will do preparatory reading and write an essay. The student will then discuss the essay with the tutor. A student may only have 1 or 2 tutorials per week. They will gain extra notes from attending lectures.

2 Professors in Sub Fusc

Throughout Hilary (spring) and Trinity  (summer) Term, you will see university students taking their final exams. The students are distinctive by their sub fusc (black gown and mortar board) which they have to wear for doing exams.

If a student is doing his first exam they will often wear a white carnation.
A pink carnation means they are in the middle of their exams. A red carnation means that it is their last exam.

Traditionally students celebrate the end of their exams with being bombarded with flour, eggs and champagne. However following complaints from locals, the university proctors have outlawed this practise. Nevertheless the tradition dies hard and in surrounding lanes you may see packets of empty flour as students evade the scrutiny of the university proctors. Students who get caught can be fined a modest amount. But, such is the relief of finishing exams, fines appear little deterant.

Oxford University Exams School

Punting can be great fun. If you’re not an expert you can still enjoy it. However, your punt will be more enjoyable if learn how to punt properly. You don’t want to spend your first two hours getting stuck in a river bank.

• Firstly, you stand at the back of the boat.
• Then drop the pole as vertically as possible.
• Then push against the river bed.
• As you lift the pole out of the river bed, be careful of the direction of the pole. As the boat will steer in the direction of the pole.
• If you want the boat to turn to the right, you stick out the pole to the right
• An important trick is to avoid sudden changes in directions. Make small adjustments.
• Lift the pole out of the water, then let it fall back into the water. Just let it fall through your hands and allow the weight of the pole to find the bottom of the water.
• Then push again. After pushing, don’t be in a rush to pull the pole out of the water. Gently guide the pole in the direction you want to go. Then gradually lift it out again.
• When you are learning. Start off slowly and methodically. As you get the hang you will be able to speed up.
• The whole art of punting is to be graceful and deliberate. It is not like using an exercise machine with frantic efforts.
• If you get stuck in a bank use a paddle to get yourself out.

Punting is a great leisurely activity perfect for spending a relaxing summer day. Punting is available between March and October, – weather permitting. But, it is really from May that the punting season gets off the ground.

Many colleges have their own punting boat houses – like Lady Margaret Hall. However, the public can hire punts at two locations – Magdalen Bridge and Cherwell Boat house in south Summertown.

Magdalen Bridge is the most convenient for tourists. It is on the high street just after Magdalen college. The punts are kept under the bridge and you can hire for the hour or by the day.

Cherwell boat house is a little more difficult to find. It is located near Wolfson College. You need to go north up Banbury Road and follow signs to the Cherwell boat house.

Litter is a real problem in Oxford. This photo isn’t the worst area. Some areas on the fringes of Oxford are covered in litter, almost like an open skip.

A roadside verge that was completely covered in litter got cleaned by a local group – Oxford Civic group

Cleaning up Oxford

Fortunately there are campaigns to clean up litter. This road side verge was cleaned up by Oxford Civic group. They left a very small sign. But, it was much appreciated.

I’d love to see more school children get involved in cleaning up any areas near there school. I think getting them involved in cleaning up Oxford would be the best way to educate them against becoming litter bugs themselves.

Encouragingly in a recent campaing, a few schools did get involved including: Oxford & Cherwell Valley College at Blackbird Leys and Oxford High School. Groups from years 7 & 11 took part. Also noticed this - Oxford schools anti – litter campaing

The council are very good at cleaning up litter in the centre of Oxford. Every Sunday morning I see them pick up litter from the streets. However, all this has a cost to the taxpayer. I think we should tax the bars and nightclubs a litter tax, given that it is drunk people on a saturday night who impose the highest cost in the form of litter.

• Ox Clean at Oxford Civic Society