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OPT Awards 2012
Nominations now invited for the Trust Awards 2012- Building conservation
- Environment / Landscape enhancement
- New buildings
- Small projects
- Community Projects
Wolvercote Lakes
Work has started on work to enhance biodiversity and public access at Wolvercote Lakes.Contractors undertaking the major works will be on site during the next couple of weeks.
Papers for the Barton Area Action Plan AAP approved
On 19 December OPT attended the full Council meeting at Oxford City Council when public consultation papers for the Barton Area Action Plan AAP were approved. The Plan is intended to shape a development of 1,200 new homes to be developed on fields to the north of the Bypass. This area is an extension to the existing Barton estate and includes a link across the Bypass to the Northway estate on the south side of the road. A six week consultation period will take place early in the new year.
OPT were pleased to note that earlier proposals, promoted by Ruskin College, to include proposals to develop open land which form part of Ruskin college grounds, the Ruskin Fields, for housing were not included in the consultation document.
The consultation paper on the Sites and Housing Development Plan Document DPD was also agreed and consultation will take place early in 2012. The plan includes a number of strategic policies on such matters as sustainability and design and covers over 60 sites in and around the City. OPT will be examining this in detail and responding to this during the 6 week consultation period which begins early in the new year. The Plan includes the South Parks Depot in Cheney Lane over which OPT has a restrictive covenant which extends over South Park and ensures that this remains as a public park for the benefit of the people of Oxford.
See our Quarterly Plans Report July - Sept 2011
East Oxford and its communities see success at the 2011 Oxford Preservation Trust Awards
This year the community awards saw The Boundary Brook Nature Reserve scoop the £500 prize which was kindly donated by Minns Estates.
Town and East Oxford focused heavily in the 2011 Oxford Preservation Trust Awards with plaques going to Pegasus Theatre and the Rose Hill development among others. Read more
Canby - Newest Corporate Supporters!
We are very pleased to be working with our newest corporate supporters, Canby Bags, on Oxford Open Doors. Canby are based in the Old Jam Factory in Oxford and make environmentally friendly and carbon neutral jute bags see www.canby.co.ukArchaeology Day 17th July 2011
Family Fun, Talks, Hands on Activities and Free Entry to the Castle Mound and Well ChamberOxford Open Doors 2011
Take a look at the Limited Edition article from 30 June - with thanks to the Oxford Times /Newsquest Group
'FLOWERS’ GIVEN FOR OXFORD CASTLE GARDEN
Benefactor donates giant lily sculptures to Oxford Preservation TrustHeritage Open Days
Delighted that Lauren has been chosen to take part in the HODblogYou can now support us via a Text Donation
Simply text OPTG01 £x to 70070 to donate to general funds or OPTL01 £x to 70070 to support our Land Fund.You will also be prompted to add Gift Aid to your donation
Britain From The Air
Ever wanted to see Britain's most beautiful landscapes, heritage sites and places of interest from the air? Take a trip to Oxford Caste during the summer and see more than 100 images, taken all around the country plus new photos of Oxfordshire. From Cornish clay pits to Port Meadow, from the Giant's Causeway to Folly Bridge, from Bamburgh Castle to Oxford Castle, you're sure to make some discoveries of places you know and those you don't.
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in collaboration with Wecommunic8 Ltd bring a major outdoor exhibition of aerial photographs to Oxford from 24 June to 4 September 2011 Featuring more than 100 spectacular images celebrating Britain's wonderfully diverse natural and human landscapes with engaging captions, supporting images and fascinating maps In addition, ten specially selected aerial photographs from around Oxfordshire.
Oxford Castle is confirmed as the next prestigious host venue for Britain from the Air, an outdoor exhibition of more than 100 aerial photographs. From dramatic saw-toothed coastlines to the geometric symmetry of cities and industry, the street gallery includes human and natural landscapes from across the country. Ten spectacular photographs of striking locations around Oxfordshire have also been specially selected by Oxford Preservation Trust, to be unveiled as part of the exhibition when it opens to the public on Friday 24th June 2011. The exhibition is brought to Oxford by The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in collaboration with street gallery pioneers, Wecommunic8.
Britain from the Air made its debut in Bath in 2010 and is now setting out on a national tour of the UK with Oxford as the first location. Viewed by some four million people in Bath, this free-to-access street gallery is the perfect way to see Britain from a unique aerial perspective, combined with a large-scale, walk-on Ordnance Survey map enabling visitors to walk the length and breadth of the British Isles, finding favourite locations and discovering new ones.
Trevor Osborne, Chairman of the Trevor Osborne Property Group, which owns the Oxford Castle site, comments: “We are extremely proud to be chosen as the first location for this exhibition's national tour. Oxford Castle is a symbol of national heritage and will be a wonderful setting for such breathtaking images of Britain.”
Debbie Dance of Oxford Preservation Trust, which has curated the Oxfordshire images and played a large part in bringing the exhibition to Oxford, adds: “Aerial photographs always give people a new perspective on a location they may have seen many times before. We have chosen a selection for Oxfordshire that combines familiar landmarks with locations many people may never have encountered. Alongside the national pictures, they will add a regional interest to what is one of the most beautiful collections of pictures of our country to be seen in one place.”
Dr Rita Gardner, Director of The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), hopes the free exhibition will encourage the enjoyment and exploration of Britain's great outdoors: "A unique value in the exhibition lies in its ability to help everyone to appreciate Britain and understand more about how natural forces and people have shaped its landscapes for millennia," she says. "As people take in this view of Britain as they've never seen it before, we hope it will inspire them to get out and about around the country and see for themselves the wonders of our islands."
Would you like to volunteer with the trust?
We are always on the look out for volunteers, if you are interested, do email Lauren at l.schofield@oxfordpreservation.org.uk.Happy Birthday Oxford Castle!
We celebrate five years since the redevelopment of the site.Since Oxford Preservation Trust opened Oxford Castle Unlocked in 2006 many tens of thousands of visitors of all ages have enjoyed learning about Oxford and its history through this exciting and educational attraction. To coincide with the fifth anniversary of the redevelopment of the Oxford Castle OPT have introduced sixteen new plaques to unlock even more of the Castle's secrets. The plaques take you on a new trail round the site and give information on evidence found at the time of the archaeological investigations, including the sixty-five human skeletons found buried in the site of the Castle ditch in the 16th century and the remains of the Saxon Town Wall.
The day was marked with celebrations in the prison atrium of the Malmaison Hotel, when many of the people who had been involved in the original scheme mingled with those that have been working there since and have seen the site grow. After speeches from Trevor Osborne of Oxford Castle Limited and Councillor Keith Mitchell, Leader of the County Council, Debbie Dance, Director of the Oxford Preservation Trust reminded everyone of how much had been achieved in raising the profile of the history of Oxford outside the University, mentioning the success of the education programme, run in partnership with the County Council. All this was illustrated with the success of the work at of the Key Learning Centre with Pegasus School, Blackbird Leys where the pupils had formed a history group, researched the diaries of Antony a Wood, an Oxford Man, written a play and performed this in the Castle yard to friends and family. Debbie adds 'The Castle has been a huge success and we have seen our education and outreach work go from strength to strength.’
OPT hold the annual Archaeology Days at the castle and it is a centre of activity during the very popular Open Doors, which is organised by OPT with Oxford University. Membership to the Oxford Preservation trust includes discount at Oxford Castle Unlocked, the Castle shop and Cafe 1071 so why not join us online or by post http://www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk/joinus/ and take a visit yourself?
See also the article about the day in the Oxford Times: Oxford Castle marks five stylish years.
Land at North Hinksey
We are delighted to have been informed that part of the Trust's land at North Hinksey has been designated as a Local Wildlife Site, predominantly because of the Creeping Marshwort population.